Tzu Chi USA – The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian relief organization that provides blankets, scarves and shawls to disaster survivors. 909-447-7799

Tzu Chi USA – The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian disaster relief organization that provides cash cards to needy families impacted by disasters. 909-447-7799

First Responders & Staff

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation – This nonprofit organization can connect cities and counties in need with mental health support following a traumatic event.  It maintains a database of CISM teams worldwide and will either link leaders with resources in their area or deploy a team to help. hotline@icisf.org / 410-750-9600

General population

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress – Offers more than four dozen fact sheets with guidance on helping citizens, businesses, staff members and others handle the many stresses they may face after experiencing different types of disasters.

Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response – Provides comfort and encouragement through animal-assisted support to individuals affected by crises and disasters. 877-467-3597

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-­800­-985­-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man­made disasters.  Callers and texters are connected to trained and caring professionals from a network of crisis centers across the country. Helpline staff provide supportive counseling, including information on common stress reactions and healthy coping, as well as referrals to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support.

Children / Parents / Teachers

U.S. Department of Education – Helping Youth and Children Recover from Traumatic Events includes tips and toolkits for teachers and staff to assist children and youth in the recovery processes after a crisis, including coping with the emotional impact of traumatic events. Listen, Protect, Connect Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Children, Parents and Other Caregivers After Natural Disasters includes early, brief and focused intervention information that can be used in the aftermath of a crisis to help reduce social and emotional distress of children and adults after a traumatic event.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – SAMHSA Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events Website offers an array of resources for students, parents, teachers, caregivers, as well as tips for coping with grief and mass violence and information for first responders and health professionals. Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers SAMHSA Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event (SAMHSA) helps parents and teachers recognize common reactions children of different age groups (preschool and early childhood to adolescence) might experience after a disaster or traumatic event and offers tips for how to respond in a helpful way and when to seek support. healthychildren.org

American Academy of Pediatrics – Healthy Children.Org offers resources and tips to help parents, teachers, children and others cope in the aftermath of disasters, terrorist attacks and school shootings. Resources are broken down specifically for parents/teachers, for students, and for schools. Talking to Children about Disasters

Save the Children – Ten Tips to Help Children Cope is a list of ten recommendations for parents, teachers, grandparents and caregivers on how to help children cope with a crisis. Ten Tips to Help Kids Cope with Disasters

The American Psychological Association offers tips on recovering emotionally from a disaster.  The association also offers tips on how to help children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting. Recovering emotionally from disaster In the aftermath of a shooting

All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response – After a disaster, this nonprofit will cut down damaged trees and clear debris in affected communities. info@allhandsandhearts.org / 508-758-8211

Eight Days of Hope – This Christian non-denominational non-profit cleans up debris and does chainsaw work in disaster-stricken communities. info@eightdaysofhope.com / 662-844-6934

NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster – Following floods, hurricanes and wind events, this non-profit volunteer organization deploys skilled chainsaw teams to remove downed trees and other dislodged debris. info@NECHAMA.org / 763-732-0610

Samaritan’s Purse – This nondenominational evangelical Christian organization deploys disaster relief units that clear trees from homes and yards.  828-262-1980

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – This religious organization sends volunteer chainsaw crews to disaster sites to assist those in need.  Eddie Blackmon, Disaster Response Coordinator.  eblackmon@sendrelief.org / 770-410-6000

Team Rubicon – This nonprofit composed of veterans and first responders conducts debris removal and chainsaw operations after disasters. 301-640-8787

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – This project of the United Methodist Church deploys teams of volunteers to remove debris after disasters. 1-800-862-4246

Team Rubicon – This nonprofit composed of veterans and first responders does incident management, volunteer management and damage and impact assessment for communities affected by disasters. 310-640-8787

IBTS OnHAND – A free customizable, online resource created by the nonprofit IBTS that helps government and nongovernmental stakeholders prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.  The Online Help and Advice for Natural Disasters website provides stories, tips and tools from experts with first-hand experience with natural disasters.

For Schools:

U.S. Department of Education – The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center offers resources for developing and updating an emergency management plan. Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools

HOPE Coalition America – Provides free financial counseling to those affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. 1-888-388-4673

Operation BBQ Relief – This Kansas-based nonprofit provides meals to displaced residents and emergency personnel during times of natural and other disasters.  They leverage their expertise in cooking and catering barbecue meals with their ability to quickly mobilize teams into any area where disaster disrupts.  1-844-627-7353

The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church and after disasters provides food and water to survivors. 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – This religious organization sends fully-stocked kitchen units to disaster sites along with the volunteers and logistical needs required to operate them.  Eddie Blackmon, Disaster Response Coordinator.  eblackmon@sendrelief.org / 770-410-6000

Tzu Chi USA – The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian relief organization that provides coffee, tea, soup and other food after disasters. 909-447-7799

Airbnb Open Homes – Through this program, people displaced by disaster, relief workers coming to help, refugees or medical patients traveling for treatment are provided a free, temporary place to stay.  Most stays range from a few days to a week.  Cities or counties wishing to know potential emergency housing stock in their area or to facilitate bookings on behalf of impacted residents can contact Jono Anzalone, Global Partnerships and Special Projects Manager at disasterpartnerships@airbnb.com.

American Planning Association – The American Planning Association provides pro-bono Community Planning Assistance Teams (CPAT) to communities that lack planning resources.  Communities are responsible for the travel and expense costs of the team members.

Disaster Leadership Team – The Disaster Leadership Team is a nonprofit made up of seasoned disaster recovery leaders that helps disaster communities establish and operate long term recovery organizations with a goal of speeding their recovery by sharing the team’s knowledge and experience. 1-800-DLT-4203

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster – The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has put together this valuable guide that walks communities through the long term recovery process from A to Z.  It covers everything from how to organize a long term recovery group to how to manage donations and volunteers.

The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church and after disasters collaborates with local, state and federal government to develop and execute a long term disaster relief and recovery plan, including restoration and rebuilding initiatives, meeting basic needs, covering medical expenses, cutting funeral costs and distributing in-kind donations to help victims rebuild their lives.  1-800-SAL-ARMY

American Red Cross – Red Cross health and mental health volunteers travel to disaster sites to help people cope. Health workers can provide first aid treatment for injuries, monitor the well being of people staying in Red Cross shelters, and replace prescription medications or eyeglasses. Other workers specialize in providing emotional support and helping people to cope after a disaster. 1-800-733-2767

Direct Relief – Provides emergency deliveries of essential medicines and supplies to safety-net health centers and community clinics after disasters.

American Red Cross – Mobile Response Vehicles, also known as ERVs, circulate throughout affected communities after disasters to hand out food, relief supplies, information, and comfort to those in need. 1-800-733-2767

All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response – This nonprofit will do “mucking and gutting” after a flood or hurricane as well as mold sanitation, often alongside homeowners. They conduct “rubbling” after an earthquake and safe demolition to remove dangerous structures. The group will also assess damaged homes to determine the greatest need for their volunteer workers. info@allhandsandhearts.org / 508-758-8211

The Cajun Army – This nonprofit organization mucks and guts homes following a disaster, focusing currently on Texas.  info@thecajunarmy.com

Eight Days of Hope – After a disaster, this Christian non-denominational non-profit tarps roofs, removes damaged furniture and other belongings and mucks out homes. 662-844-6934 / info@eightdaysofhope.com

Heart 9/11 – Healing Emergency Aid Response Team 9/11 is a team of New York City-based first responders and the NYC Building Trades who after disasters will escort homeowners to their ravaged homes, ensure their safety and help in the massive clean up process. billkeegan@heart911.org

Mennonite Disaster Service – This volunteer network of Anabaptist churches responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in the U.S. and Canada.  The organization deploys teams to clean up and muck out homes after all types of disasters.  mdsus@mds.mennonite.net / 1-800-241-8111

NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster – Following floods, hurricanes and wind events, this non-profit volunteer organization provides a variety of services including mucking out homes – removing debris, damaged goods, and sediment, gutting homes down to the studs to prepare them for a rebuild. info@NECHAMA.org / 763-732-0610

Samaritan’s Purse – This nondenominational evangelical Christian organization deploys disaster relief units that tarp roofs and muck out and gut homes, removing damaged walls, flooring and goods.  828-262-1980

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – This religious organization sends volunteer chainsaw and flood clean up crews to disaster sites to assist those in need.  Eddie Blackmon, Disaster Response Coordinator.  eblackmon@sendrelief.org / 770-410-6000

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – This project of the United Methodist Church deploys teams of volunteers to muck out homes after disasters. 1-800-862-4246

For Cities:

IBTS OnHAND – A free customizable, online resource created by the nonprofit IBTS that helps government and nongovernmental stakeholders prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.  The Online Help and Advice for Natural Disasters website provides stories, tips and tools from experts with first-hand experience with natural disasters.

For Individuals & Families:

American Psychological Association – This professional organization has free online brochures to help seniors and those caring for them be better prepared for disasters.  One targets older adults themselves, while the other is aimed at educating caregivers.  Both contain useful preparedness tips as well as a checklist of items to include in an emergency preparedness kit.

Hope Force International – Provides several downloadable disaster preparation checklists, including one for families with special needs children.

For Children, Schools & Families:

Save the Children – The nonprofit offers free tools to help families, caregivers and schools with children up to Grade 5 prepare for disasters.

For Medical Facilities:

Direct Relief – Provides preparedness packs at the start of the hurricane season, June 1, to 50 nonprofit health centers and free clinic partners in hurricane-prone regions of the U.S.  The packs contain enough medicines and supplies to treat 100 patients for three to five days after a hurricane hits.

Fire / Flooding

Team Rubicon – This nonprofit composed of veterans and first responders helps communities prepare for and reduce the impact of disasters by constructing fire breaks, clearing potential flood debris, etc. 310-640-8787

Flooding

Naturally Resilient Communities offers nature-based solutions to communities vulnerable to flooding. The website lays out 30 options as well as 22 real-life case studies. It also walks leaders through determining the cost of such projects as well as possible ways to fund them including taxes, fees and federal grants.

Bridges

West Virginia VOAD – The West Virginia VOAD has created a program that can be replicated in any state coordinating volunteers, equipment and building materials to rebuild at no cost private bridges destroyed by disasters.  Here are the guidelines to follow to launch the program in your area. 304-928-4603

Community Centers

All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response -This nonprofit engages its trained volunteers to work with the community to rebuild disaster-resilient community centers to code, ensuring they are stronger and better able to weather future disasters. info@allhandsandhearts.org / 508-758-8211

Heart 9/11 – Healing Emergency Aid Response Team 9/11 is a team of New York City-based first responders and the NYC Building Trades who after disasters will rebuild community centers in hard hit areas to meet grassroots needs. billkeegan@heart911.org

Homes

All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response – This nonprofit engages its trained volunteers to work with the community to rebuild disaster-resilient homes to code, ensuring they are stronger and better able to weather future disasters. info@allhandsandhearts.org / 508-758-8211

Eight Days of Hope – After a disaster, this Christian non-denominational non-profit will help repair and rebuild damaged homes and churches. 662-844-6934 / info@eightdaysofhope.com

Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders – This faith-driven and Christ-centered nonprofit rebuilds homes in communities devastated by disaster.  229-924-2900 / bart@disaster-rebuilders.org

Habitat for Humanity – This nonprofit organization with local chapters throughout the country assesses shelter and housing needs after disasters and then rebuilds homes for needy families and individuals.  1-800-422-4828 / disaster@habitat.org

Mennonite Disaster Service – This volunteer network of Anabaptist churches responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in the U.S. and Canada.  The organization deploys teams to repair and rebuild homes after all types of disasters.  mdsus@mds.mennonite.net / 1-800-241-8111

NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster – Following floods, hurricanes and wind events, this non-profit volunteer organization will, on occasion, provide rebuild assistance to affected families. This includes services such as installing drywall, insulation, and other minor repairs.  info@NECHAMA.org / 763-732-0610

Samaritan’s Purse – This nondenominational evangelical Christian organization deploys disaster relief units that often stay behind after their initial response to rebuild or restore houses for needy families.  828-262-1980

SBP– This long-term disaster recovery non-profit organization efficiently and cost-effectively rebuilds disaster-impacted homes for low- to moderate-income families, older persons, persons with disabilities and war veterans who cannot afford market rate contractors.  SBP mobilizes private sector innovations and assigns a single point of contact to make the home rebuilding process faster and more predictable.  504-277-6831

Team Rubicon – This nonprofit composed of veterans and first responders does expedient home repair after disasters, prepping for skilled labor to come in.  310-640-8787

Schools & Daycares

All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response -This nonprofit engages its trained volunteers to work with the community to rebuild disaster-resilient schools and daycare facilities to code, ensuring they are stronger and better able to weather future disasters. info@allhandsandhearts.org / 508-758-8211

Save the Children– The nonprofit helps fund the rebuilding of childcare facilities, vital to a community’s post-disaster recovery.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers runs Operation Blue Roof through which eligible homeowners can apply for installation of a temporary roof covering – fiber-reinforced sheeting – until permanent repairs can be made.  Only roofs with less than 50% structural damage are eligible.  The structure must be a primary residence or permanently occupied rental property.  The service is free to homeowners but there may be a cost to local and state governments.  To participate in the program, call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258).

droneUp.com – An informal network of drone operators, many retired military and law enforcement, who volunteer to use their drones to do search missions during and after disasters.  Call the command desk at 757-337-2125.

Heart 9/11 – Healing Emergency Aid Response Team 9/11 is a team of New York City-based first responders and the NYC Building Trades who after disasters will assist emergency operations, public safety command, local fire, law enforcement, and EMS members with search and rescue. billkeegan@heart911.org

Team Rubicon – This nonprofit composed of veterans and first responders will aid in search and rescue after disasters. 301-640-8787

American Red Cross – This not-for-profit organization shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters.  1-800-733-2767

Save the Children – The nonprofit creates safe spaces for children in emergency evacuation shelters where they can play, socialize and begin to recover from the disaster.  The organization also provides items including cribs, strollers, changing tables, baby shampoo, diapers and baby-safe portable tubs.

Matthew 25: Ministries & Tide Loads of Hope – This nonprofit works in conjunction with Tide to drive mobile laundry vehicles to disaster sites to allow survivors to wash their clothing, linens and other soiled items. /513-793-6256

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – This religious organization sends shower and laundry units to disaster sites to provide personal cleanliness services for those in need.  Eddie Blackmon, Disaster Response Coordinator.  eblackmon@sendrelief.org / 770-410-6000

American Red Cross – After a disaster, this not-for-profit organization provides comfort kits with basic personal supplies needed in the aftermath, such as a toothbrush, deodorant and shampoo. Other emergency supplies could include tarps, rakes, shovels, and trash bags to help people clean up their homes and return to normalcy. Emergency supplies can be handed out at convenient distribution centers or from an emergency response vehicle in affected areas.  1-800-733-2767

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – This project of the United Methodist Church distributes cleanup buckets and hygiene kits to areas impacted by disaster.  1-800-862-4246

Emergency management personnel

Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management and Public Safety – Offers free two-day workshops at eight sites around the country for federal, regional, state, tribal and local emergency management personnel responsible for initiating and managing public-private partnerships before, during and after disasters.  National experts deliver innovative techniques and integrated strategies to bolster societal security, resilience and preparedness in the face of the unexpected.  Participants are awarded 1.4 CEUs upon successful completion.

Schools

U.S. Department of Education – The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center offers downloadable self-paced trainings for K – 12 schools and districts.  Webinars are also available and schools can also apply to host a training by request.

Earthquake

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills – An annual opportunity for people in homes, schools and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes and to improve preparedness.