About ENLA

Description

Emergency Network Los Angeles, Inc. (ENLA) is a network of Los Angeles County, non profit, community based organizations (CBOs) that provide assistance to individuals, families, and organizations following emergencies and disasters. ENLA works in coordination with government agencies and the private sector.

ENLA is recognized by the Los Angeles County Operational Area and the City of Los Angeles as the networking agency for community based oganizations.

ENLA is the Los Angeles County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), and is recognized by Southern California VOAD and National VOAD.

ENLA is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization under the laws of the State of California.

Mission

The mission of ENLA is to enhance preparedness for and coordinate response to disasters by facilitating linkages among Los Angeles County community based organizations and government and the private sector.

History

Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the Mayor of Los Angeles convened a meeting of CBOs that were active in the recovery from the disaster. The combined efforts of members of this group significantly aided the earthquake recovery efforts. In December of that year that group, which had become known as ENLA, merged with the Los Angeles County VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) and the Los Angeles Access Network to bring all CBO disaster work in Los Angeles County under one umbrella. In 1997, both Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles designated ENLA as their primary point of contact with community based organizations for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.

Organization

ENLA is California non profit, charitable corporation under IRS section 501[c][3] The organization is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from CBOs and national disaster agencies, including American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, and non voting government representatives. ENLA is the Los Angeles County unit of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and the Southern California VOAD.
Committees make up the primary framework within which ENLA CBOs are organized. Committees currently established or in development include the following: Food; Shelter & Housing; Medical Health Services; Mental Health Services; Pico-Union Cluster, and Animal Services. New committees may be established as CBOs come together to form them. ENLA is a model of how CBOs can network during non-disaster times in order to better cooperate and help each other during and following emergencies and disasters. As a result of this cooperation, communities in need will be served more quickly and more effectively.

Membership

ENLA is a coalition of CBOs. Voting membership is open to non profit, 501(c)(3) organizations. Government organizations and for-profit entities may be Affiliate (non-voting) members. Each member organization retains its own identity and independence. ENLA works closely with other organizations to improve coordination and reduce duplication of efforts. Member CBOs provide mentoring to each other and share their experience. The stronger working relationships among CBOs and better disaster preparedness and recovery efforts that result from this process will benefit the community far into the future.

Activities

ENLA activities include the following:
• Establish contact and maintain liaison with member CBOs prior to and following disasters;
• Facilitate improved staff and agency preparedness for member CBOs by providing training and forums;
• Conduct quarterly general membership meetings for information sharing and encourage periodic functional group meetings for planning and networking;
• Gather, coordinate, and disseminate pertinent information through the network;
• Facilitate linkages of providers of disaster resources with communities and CBOs that have disaster related needs;
• Provide linkages for member CBOs to government emergency management organizations at all levels;
• Provide reports on disaster impact to member CBOs, government, the media, and other interested parties;
• Assist member CBOs in their efforts to request financial reimbursement, post disaster contracts, and grants by transmitting information about potential funding opportunities.