DISASTER RESPONSE
Organization will provide emergency aid until authorities arrive
A new organization to help Taylor residents stay safe during a disaster is looking for volunteers and donations.
In the near future, when the City Council and the mayor declare a state of disaster, they’ll call upon the Greater Taylor Community Organizations Active in Disaster to assist residents in need while the town awaits state or federal relief to arrive, which may take 48 to 72 hours, experts said.
For now, though, COAD — with a full board and a supporting foundation — needs manpower, monetary assistance and more. In February, the organization will host a public meeting for community members to learn about what it does as well as how to become involved and support the nascent group.
“My goal is simple — It’s to put something
Everyone will be prepared to render aid if they’re called upon.”
— Tim Mikeska, Greater Taylor Community Organizations Active in Disaster
in place that … will help the community greatly if we ever need to use it, but I truly hope that we never, ever have to use it,” COAD Chairman Thomas Martinez said. “The best scenario we can have is to never have to use it, never open that playbook and never have to go down that path, you know? We don’t want a flood, we don’t want a tornado, we don’t want any kind of natural disaster.”
Past emergencies such as the 2021 freeze that paralyzed the state, hurricanes in Houston and the COVID19 pandemic prompted Greater Taylor Foundation Chairwoman Diana Phillips in February to call upon community leaders — such as Martinez — to put together a Taylor COAD.
Organizers said Martinez brings a wealth of experience to his role as chairman. He has served on boards for the Taylor Independent School District, Taylor Educational Enrichment Foundation, Temple College at Taylor Foundation and the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce.
“We recognized … (during the freeze) that there’s a need, and we need to try to fill that need,” Martinez said. “So, I was excited to become involved in this effort.”
The process has proven educational, he added.
“I have learned a lot from Diana and from others,” Martinez said. “We have a great group of advisors that have come to the table and are trying to help us make sure that we succeed with this. … There’s a lot of work to be done, for sure.”
After the February meeting, with a date and location to be announced, the organization will begin building a network of volunteers trained in emergency-response services, led by Vice Chairman Tim Mikeska, who has 46 years of experience in the field and is widely involved in the Taylor community.
“Everyone will be prepared to render aid if they’re called upon,” Mikeska said.
In addition to volunteers, COAD also will be creating partnerships with businesses and religious organizations that can offer services or resources.
Another way Taylor residents can support the organization is with monetary donations, which will help with COAD’s operation, supply volunteers with equipment and stock bulk supplies and food.
Residents can donate through the Greater Taylor Foundation’s Giving Taylor event on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. Donations can be made at ctxcf.networkforgood.com/ projects/234798-taylor-gives.
COAD hopes to be operational by 2026. While Taylor continues to grow, Martinez and Mikeska hope COAD will encourage residents to maintain the city’s neighborly and smallcommunity spirit.
“What I love about our hometown is when a disaster strikes …, Taylor citizens respond with their best,” Mikeska said. “COAD will make us better prepared and ready to move quickly.”
