Unmet Needs
Gaston county Emergency Operations Plan
 

Coordinating Agency: Department of Social Services
   
Cooperating Agencies: Health Department
  County Manager
  Emergency Management
  Red Cross
  United Way
  Churches and Civic Organizations
  Other agencies as appropriate
   
   
I.  PURPOSE 
 
  This section describes the process for addressing unmet needs following an emergency / disaster. 
 
II. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS 
 
  A. Situation 
 
    1.  "Unmet needs" refers to those needs of individuals that are not met, or cannot be met, through a variety of service organizations, i.e., Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Federal, State and local government programs. 
 
    2. Typical unmet needs can include the following:  
 
     
  • Financial Assistance
  • Housing
  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Home Furnishings
  • Medical
  • Debris Removal
  • Counseling
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    3. An Unmet Needs Committee is in place consisting of the following representatives:   
 
     
  • Emergency Services
  • County Commissioners
  • Mayors & Commissioners

  • Social Services
     
     
     
      This Committee is chaired by the Social Services Director and is responsible for the identification of those persons who, for whatever reason, did not receive assistance or sufficient assistance to get them back to pre-disaster levels. 
 
    4. There are many sources of assistance available to be utilized through church groups, civic groups, individual contributions and others. 
 
  B. Assumptions 
 
    1. There will be people with unmeet needs following an emergency / disaster. 
 
    2. The Committee will work with all available sources to identify those people with needs and all victims will be identified. 
 
    3. Assistance will be available to help with unmet needs.  
 
    4. All victims will be returned to pre-disaster levels. 
 
III.  CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS 
 
  A. The Committee will meet following an emergency / disaster and start assessing the needs, monitoring assistance and creating files on the victims and their needs. 
 
  B. The Committee will coordinate with other relief agencies to eliminate duplication of aid.
 
  C. Pre-disaster situations of victims will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
 
  D. Assistance other than the normal Federal, State and local programs will be identified and utilized in meeting needs. 
 
  E. The Committee will maintain a presence in the Disaster Application Center.