Shelby County Pools Resources for Emergency

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Emergency Management Agency Director Bob Nations says there's no shortage of volunteers in Shelby County. In fact relocation.com named Memphis one of the best places for a fresh start due to the bluff city's high volunteerism rates.

"We are fortunate in that area with that spirit of volunteerism," said Nations.

But over the next 6 months there will be a push among local charities and volunteer organizations to form a better coordinating group during disaster.

"A partnership with volunteer organizations is extremely critical to the effect of your response and recovery," Nations said.

Mayor AC Wharton says the county is re-activating it's relationship with National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster."

"It avoids a lot of folks tripping over each other, duplicating the same thing and then leaving still some areas uncovered," Wharton said.

"VOAD" uses the for c's: communication, coordination, cooperation and collaboration to help communities improve service in times of need.

"It's so we will have a plan. So that your church will know what to do, your neighborhood association knows what to do in times of disaster and what they're doing fits into what they're doing," said Wharton.

The EMA says the "VOAD" network dissolved 18 months ago when it's acting president left. Wharton says the support would have helped this past weekend when storms, some spawning tornadoes, hit the area and it's time to bring it back.

"We're meeting regularly and hope very soon to really role out a plan of coordination." Wharton said.

"We're not flatlined on our volunteer efforts. This is just a matter of engaging in a more coordinated, orchestrated manner with the volunteer groups throughout the area," Nations said.