Who’s Who in Time of Disaster?

Central Texas faces threats from many kinds of natural disaster. From the Hill Country (known as “Flash Flood Alley”) to the upper reaches of the hurricane-prone Coastal Plain we are exposed to fires, floods, and storms of all kinds. Dealing with such events involves an “alphabet soup” of public and private organizations—FEMA, TDEM, GLO, city and county OEM’s, VOAD’s and COAD’s. From mitigation and planning to immediate response and long-term rebuilding, how do all these groups work together?

About our Speaker:

Jake Isbell serves on the Disaster Recovery Task Force (DRTF) as the TDEM Region 6 Voluntary Agency Liaison. Region 6 covers 43 counties from Central Texas down to the Gulf Coast. The Regional Voluntary Agency Liaison role supports volunteers and donations management, VOAD/disaster non-profit collaboration, and the creation, education, mentorship, and integration of Long-Term Recovery and COAD groups.

Jake previously served as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Jarrell, responding to the March 2022 tornados. Jake has fulfilled various pastoral roles in a local church since 2012. As a Lead Pastor, he witnessed the destructive and life-altering impacts of a disaster on his community. Jake locally led a multi-agency response network of nonprofits during Winter Storm Uri, coordinatedCOVID-19 vaccination and testing locations, and facilitated long-term recovery efforts from the tornado outbreaks in 2021. Jake has extensive experience in cross sector collaboration, leveraging faith-based and community organizations in response and recovery efforts. He is passionate about engaging and empowering whole communities to strengthen resiliency within Texas.

Notice

For the safety and wellbeing of our members, guests, and TSBVI hosts, masks are required when entering and leaving the building all the way to and from the conference room, and are optional when inside the room itself. TSBVI requests we take this precaution for their students, many of whom are medically fragile.