Collaborative Disaster Volunteer Credential

“The tragic attack of September 11th has taught us many things, not the least of which is that we must protect our Ready Responders, the people that come out to help others in their most desperate time of need,” says Lisa Orloff, Founder of World Cares Center.

Since 2001, disasters have increased in frequency and severity. We are faced with compound issues and a rising number of constituents in need. Our organizations are also tasked with finding new ways to serve while keeping everyone safe. How do we tackle such a mounting challenge while remaining resilient and healthy ourselves?

A board of advisors has joined forces to create a three-tiered Cooperative Disaster Volunteer Credential training program that provides a solid foundation of knowledge for any disaster volunteer. Founded in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11th, the World Cares Center and its partners understand the need to train all types of volunteers to work together safely and with a common understanding of how things should get done. Often, grassroots groups do not have the resources to develop and deliver their own training, and this is where the Cooperative comes in. New members are encouraged to join this collaborative movement that improves our ability to work together, share resources, and reduce responder injuries.

The founding board and contributors includes Access Plus; All Nations International Chaplains Association; Atlantic COHST; Con Edison; Armando Aviles, Essex County Sheriff’s Office of Essex County Cops4Kids; Tatiana Sofia Begault, FEMA Gulf States Dive and Rescue; American Red Cross SELA and the State of Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Preparedness and ERN; Rick Cummins, Flood Rescue Academy; Andrew Bershad, NYC Emergency Services Unit, Ret., Flying Aces Consultancy; Dr. Lucia Velotti, Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Fire Safety and Disaster Management; Latin American Chaplains Association; Dr. Edward Williams, President, Regional Ready Rockaway; Resiliency Advisors; Alison Thompson, PhD of The Third Wave Volunteers; Amber Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH Director, The International Safety Center; and Cindy Lewis, CSP, CIT, Director, Office of Professional Development and Program Evaluation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health: Simon Periera Shorey, Resilient JC: Dr. Novil Wijesekara, Disaster Preparedness and Response Division, Ministry of Public Health, Sri Lanka, with World Cares Center facilitating the initiative.

“The Collaborative Disaster Volunteer Credential training program enhances the knowledge and know-how to work safely by providing a common approach when volunteering in disaster incidents. I am pleased to be a part of guiding its development to meet the needs of my community and utilize it to prepare and protect my volunteers.”

Dr. Edward Williams, Regional Ready Rockaway

The Cooperative Disaster Credential is Free of Charge. For more information on the training or to join the Advisory Board, contact Lisa Orloff HERE.

Currently serve as Deputy State Director for Educational Reform alongside with prior experience as a Reentry Community Coordinator for Orleans Parish. Has a combined experiences of 15 years of community advocacy and engagement in the fields of mental health, second chances, resiliency, diversity, and inclusion and now embracing educational reform. Worked as Disaster Program Specialist, managing 9 programs in the area of disaster relief cycle, prevention, response and recovery. Held the part-time position of Independent Program Monitor for Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors in the State of Florida as a sub-contractor for Chaos Management, LLC while serving St Helene, St Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parish. Expert in forming community alliances and long-lasting relationships while bridging the gap of non-profits and for-profit organizations with socially conscious duty and a fiscal responsibility to the community they serve.

In addition to academic’s pursuits, in the fields of development, disaster management, biopsychology, neuroscience, sociology and cultural diversity strives to serve as an agent of change in diversity and inclusion. Invited to present at the University of Warmia and Mazuri in Olsztyn, Poland under Dr. Glenn Simmons, PhD from Wayland Baptist University “Leadership and Business Development”. Presentation that took place in May 2018. Moderator for DOC and Goodwill Industries SELA Mental Health Panel, “Global-Research Driven Clinical Findings”- Current Supportive Networks for Justice Involved Individuals (May 2021). Coordinated resources for Disaster Relief Operations in Bayou Region, Orleans and Jefferson Parish Post IDA and volunteer services during COVID19 pandemic feeding First Responders and medical personnel involved during peak of COVID19 pandemic. Furthermore, has created Housing, Workforce and Mental Health panels to educate case managers and organizational leadership. Currently engaged in IST Health Care Committee and IST Housing and Mental Health Subcommittee for the State of Louisiana, member of LA-PRI State Implementation Steering Team Meeting. Co-Chair member of Big Easy Steering Team (Orleans Parish Steering Team), active member of Urban League Young Professionals and Parent Leadership Training Institute for the City of New Orleans. Currently serve as honorary Board Member for Horns United, Central City Fellowship Church and Quoters of Hope. member of International Society Of Females Professionals and Young Professionals Urban League.

Andrew Bershad is a retired Detective from the New York City Police Departments’ Elite Emergency Service Unit (ESU) with over 35 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services. Andy was integral as the Medical Coordinator with ESU and responsible for the management of hundreds of officers within the NYPD. He remains an active nationally registered paramedic, and is a recognized expert in tactical medical operations instructing law enforcement and government agencies both nationwide and internationally. He has been featured as the cover of Popular Mechanics Magazine and recently hosted by Anderson Cooper on CNN.

Born and raised in England, where he gained an honors degree in Management from the University of Reading, Berkshire, Simon has lived in the United States for 20 years, and in Jersey City for 14 years. Simon began his career as a consultant business and asset valuer, working for major clients including BP, British Gas and the billion dollar Duchy of Cornwall estate of HRH The Prince of Wales. Simon has devised, designed, implemented and led multi-tiered global organizations, including the Irish American Arts Awards, which gained recognition at Head of State level , and GeneAfrica, Inc., which introduced ground-breaking genealogical genomic concepts to the African-American community. The Pereira family owned and operated the successful Rioguarda Group of risk mitigation companies in six of the states of Brazil for three decades until they were sold off in the 2000’s.

More recently based in Jersey City, New Jersey, Simon has been co-founder of Liberty Voiceovers, and has been involved in Jersey City community affairs for several years, serving on the ‘I Love Jersey City Public Schools’ Committee, linking the business community with the public schools’ system, on the Safety and Security Committee for the Jersey City Board Of Education and as an active volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team. Simon also serves on the board of the Youth Foundation of Jersey City.

Simon was in Manhattan for 9/11 and was in Jersey City for the North-East Blackout of 2003 and for Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and has personally responded to serious medical emergencies in Jersey City and beyond, including being the immediate responder to a street shooting in September 2017, following which he received a Commendation for his actions from the City Council. Simon received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor of Jersey City at a ceremony in August 2017 for his volunteer work in the field of disaster preparedness and emergency response for Jersey City.

Simon has various emergency response and management certifications, including Tactical Emergency Casualty Care and Technical Emergency Response Training for CBRNE Incidents and has been awarded the Professional Development Series Certificate of Achievement by the Emergency Management Institute. Simon is a certified Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructor. Simon is keen to contribute in any way to support and augment the existing skilled responders, planners and initiatives that seek to get ahead of the threats facing the people of Jersey City and reduce any potential damage, injury and death as much as humanly possible by increasing the resilience of our community.

Retired Investigator Armando Aviles began his career with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office in 1995. Over his career he has received numerous awards for performing beyond the call of duty. He has participated in dignitary protection details for Pope John Paul II, President Bill Clinton, President George Bush and Vice President Dick Chaney. He was a New York 9/11 First Responder where he assisted in the search, rescue and recovery operations after the attack on our country.

He is a graduate of the Essex County College Police Academy, the Federal Law Training Enforcement Center’s Undercover Operatives School and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crisis Negotiators School. After 9/11 he was selected to be a member of the Essex County Rapid Deployment Team where he was trained to respond to terrorist attacks.

He was detailed for 10 years to U.S. Customs and Homeland Security Investigations where he worked as an undercover narcotics operative investigating cases that funded various levels of terrorism.

He has served on numerous community boards and currently serves as an advisory board member for Essex County’s Donald Payne Technology High School and Barringer High School in Newark where he advises on their law and public safety curriculum. /

In 2014 Aviles took over a fledgling local law enforcement youth program and turned it into one of the most recognized youth programs known as Essex County Cops 4 Kids. The non-profit program started originally with 20 members and today serves over 150 at risk youth enrolled in three age-appropriate programs. They provide mentoring, career development, community service opportunities, life skills training and college preparedness counseling. They currently provide services to children between the ages of 6 and 18. This coming year they plan to expand to other counties and will be known as New Jersey Cops 4 Kids.

The organization currently boasts a 94% college admission rate and a 100% high school graduation rate.

Four of their graduating members have already achieved careers in law enforcement.

For his outstanding work in the community Aviles has been named Service Member of the Year for 2017 by National Police Supply. In 2018 he was honored by several immigrants’ rights groups. Milagros Angels recognized him for his support of feeding the homeless. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1302 recognized his efforts in support of the veteran’s community. Most recently he has received numerous citations from City of Newark, Essex County, and the New Jersey State Senate for his outstanding work with the youth of Essex County. The Essex County Police Benevolent Association Conference recognized Aviles as the Officer of the Year for his efforts to remove the barriers that exist between law enforcement officers and youth in the community. He has also been recognized for his work with the youth in the community by Volunteers in Protection Services and Univision. This year, The Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade has selected Armando as their 2022 Community Leader of the Year.

Aviles is a certified Police Instructor and is certified in Incident Command Systems, Interview and Interrogations, Criminal Gang Investigations, Counterfeit Identification, Radiation Detection, Rapid Risk Recognition Assessment and Response, Response to Terrorist Bombings, Drug Interdiction, Counter-Terrorism Intelligence and Awareness, Biomedical Terrorism, Warrant Execution, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Hazardous Materials Response

Experienced Safety, Health and Training Professional with a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries such as petrochemical, manufacturing, aerospace and construction contractors, and higher education. Skilled in the development and auditing of Safety and Health Management Systems, Industrial Hygiene, and Learning and Development (i.e., Training). Strong entrepreneurship problem solver with a MSPH focused in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences from University of Illinois at Chicago with Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT) certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

Experienced Safety, Health and Training Professional with a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries such as petrochemical, manufacturing, aerospace and construction contractors, and higher education. Skilled in the development and auditing of Safety and Health Management Systems, Industrial Hygiene, and Learning and Development (i.e., Training). Strong entrepreneurship problem solver with a MSPH focused in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences from University of Illinois at Chicago with Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT) certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

May Dr. Edward Williams rest in peace, January 2024.

Salvatore Puglisi left his job of 10 years as an EMT with New York Presbyterian Hospital EMS post 9/11. In the blink of an eye his life was turned upside down, role changed from first responder to survivor. The days that followed would eventually change the trajectory of his personal and professional life. In the summer of 2013 he became the founding Career and Technicational Education teacher at The Urban Assembly School for Emergency Management in Lower Manhattan. Mr. Puglisi in collaboration with industry partners created the first high school curriculum for emergency management in the United States. Since the opening of UASEM, Salvatore has created the “Hands to Heart Teen CPR team”, the only teen CPR team that goes out into their communities and offers free CPR and first aid training. Salvatore also has a passion for emergency preparedness and response. He has been a Volunteer Fire Fighter, Safety Officer and now works part time as The Community Education Liaison for Orange County Emergency Management Division of EMS.

The Rockaway Coalition of the CDVC addresses the specific disaster readiness needs of Rockaway individuals and the community as a whole. Together, we conduct outreach, convene training, and develop plans to address the needs of each community. The members are leaders from within each of their communities and bring together their constituents to benefit from the coalition’s initiatives.

The CDVC, Rockaway Coalition’s mission is to convene the community around a common mission of safety, preparedness, and response initiatives that include: assessing the collective needs, creating and delivering a common foundational training that prepares local leaders and their constituents to plan for, respond to and recover from disasters in such a way that they can coordinate and collaborate with other partners under the same framework. The coalition will help the community actualize its plans through drills, response, support, and a communications program that reduces its members’ attrition, which is a challenge in maintaining readiness.

The Rockaway Coalition members are local leaders from hyper-local communities, and they continue to expand. As members from the same or bordering geographic area join, WCC works to convene those like groups through stakeholder meetings, training, planning sessions, and exercises. The Rockaway Coalition members include:

• Intergenerational Community Uplift (ICU)
• Peoples Police Academy
• St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
• Waterfront Alliance
• Senator James Sanders
• Carlton Manor Resident Council
• Community Intergeneration Action Network (CIAN)
• Perfect Piece of the Puzzle
• Intergenerational Community Uplift (ICU)
• Battalion Pentecostal Assembly Church in Arvene
• Atlantic Beach Fire Rescue
• Rockaways Neighbors Helping Neighbors
• NAACP Far Rockaway Branch
• Friends of Beach 59th Street Playground Association
• Officer Thomas Dugan, NYPD
• Redfern Houses Resident Council
• NYCHA Residents Council
• Brothers for Peace and Social Change
• Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers
• Wheelchairs Against Guns
• Macedonia Baptist Church
• Bethel AME Church of Far Rockaway
• Regional Ready Rockaway

To join the coalition or to request to start a coalition in your borough please contact us HERE.