Office of Emergency Management

Programs and General Information

Disaster Relief

During an actual community crisis or disaster, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management would partner with several community organizations that are ready to combine manpower and resources to quickly identify victims and meet their basic needs. The Disaster Relief Committee is comprised of local disaster relief agencies - most of which participate in the Tennessee chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) - that provide the community shelter staffing, emergency feeding, distribution of donations, and coordination of limited financial relief, when available. Here are some of the Nashville disaster relief partners that are ready to respond when a disaster strikes.

The American Red Cross has a long history of providing assistance to disaster victims around the world, and is the lead community agency responsible for sheltering and mass care services in Nashville. The Nashville Chapter American Red Cross will help identify and provide damage and needs assessment for disaster victims, and ensure that they have food, clothing, water, medications and other basic essentials. To learn more about American Red Cross Nashville Chapter disaster relief efforts, click here.

The Salvation Army has a long-standing history of ministering to children and families in Nashville, and would provide fixed and mobile feeding sites, clothing, bedding, lodging and other emergency aid to victims, if a disaster strikes. Also, the agency would provide case work and financial counseling services to families. To learn more about the Salvation Army of Nashville, click here.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee fights hunger by providing food, services and education to 46 Middle and West Tennessee counties, including the Nashville Davidson County area. During a community crisis in Nashville, Second Harvest would help in the coordination of basic food items to areas that need it. The organization was formed to provide a central distribution center for companies, groups and individuals who want to help provide food to people in Middle Tennessee who are hungry. Second Harvest is part of a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and food rescue programs throughout the United States. In Middle Tennessee, the agency distributes food to more than 500 non-profit partner agencies. To learn more click here.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is the primary charitable repository for cash, and would maintain ultimate authority and control over the Metro Disaster Response Fund, a program designed to meet the needs of victims who have exhausted their insurance and conventional disaster assistance. The agency would establish the Metro Disaster Response Fund Advisory Committee to evaluate requests for cash assistance and make distributions from the fund to tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations assisting with efforts to rebuild the lives of individuals and families affected by a local disaster - both immediately and long-term. The committee is comprised of a designated representative from the Mayor's Office, Association of Nonprofit Executives, Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship, Covenant Association, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and representatives with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. To learn more about the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, click here.

The Crisis Center has been a critical partner in Nashville's emergency and crisis response efforts for more than 35 years. When a disaster strikes, Nashville will rely on the Crisis Center and its recently created 211 division to connect disaster victims to the services they need. Whether it is food, shelter, counseling, or other social service needs, 211 is specifically designed to connect people with more than 2,800 health and human services agencies. All 211 calls are answered by nationally certified information and referral specialists who are fluent in several different languages. The caller is provided with phone numbers, programs and services, location, hours of operation and other information relevant to what the caller needs. To learn more about 211, click here.

Often, during a community crisis, people are eager to volunteer their time and energy to help communities recover. During a disaster, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management would rely on Hands on Nashville to connect volunteers with people and agencies that need help. Hands on Nashville links volunteers with available volunteer opportunities and helps coordinate large-scale volunteer efforts. For more information about Hands on Nashville, click here.

Documentation and Insurance
If the disaster is widespread, it may take insurance adjusters a few days to get to you. In the meantime:

  • Contact your agent and/or claims office
  • Make records of any destroyed or damaged items
  • If possible, take photos before cleaning and repairs
  • Take steps to prevent further damage or loss
  • Keep all of your receipts
  • Get bids for needed repairs, and watch out for scams

Federal Disaster Assistance
Immediately following a major emergency or disaster, OEM will begin to assess the damage. Disaster assistance for individuals and homeowners is based on the livability of your home, structural damage and/or serious unmet needs. If the damage is widespread and serious enough to have a significant community impact, and meets all other criteria, then federal assistance will be requested. Generally, the assessment and approval process takes one to two weeks.

Federal assistance is just that, assistance. It does not take the place of insurance and will not address all of your loses. Also, if you live in a designated flood zone, you may not be eligible for federal assistance if you do not have a flood insurance policy in effect at least 30 days prior to the disaster.

If approved for disaster assistance, an announcement will be made to the news media regarding what types of assistance is being offered and how to apply.