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  1. Our Impact
  2. Disaster Management

A Leader in Times of Crisis

United Way of Palm Beach County connects our community to critical resources every day, whether local families need unexpected support for basic needs, or in response to a natural disaster like a hurricane. Our team is actively involved in supporting the county’s disaster-related volunteer needs, providing resources to help the nonprofit community prepare for and recover from disasters, and working closely with officials to develop a more effective disaster management plan.

211 Helpline

We fund the 211 Helpline – a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year hotline service that provides information, assessment, advocacy, and referrals to appropriate community agencies for a variety of needs, as well as crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

211 Helpline and Partner Resources

United Way’s ESF-15 History

United Way of Palm Beach County has a long history of preparing for and recovering from disasters. Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, United Way took a leadership role in the local response and recovery efforts. Shortly after, Palm Beach County Government named United Way as the lead agency for ESF-15 (Emergency Support Function 15 – Volunteers and Donations) in its Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Since that time, United Way has put that plan into action by responding to several hurricanes; Charlie, Francis, Jeanne, Wilma, Irma, Maria, Dorian and most recently, Hurricane Ian.

With the rise in occurrences of human-made disasters such as mass violence, United Way supports county Emergency Management’s all-hazard approach.  Through these efforts, United Way is dedicated to ensuring all residents of Palm Beach County and our community partners are ready for the next crisis.

To view the ESF-15 Plan, please click here.

United Way’s Disaster Management Role

United Way of Palm Beach County is actively involved with disaster management efforts as the lead volunteer agency for Palm Beach County Emergency Management ESF-15, Volunteers and Donations. As such, United Way recruits and coordinates volunteers year-round to support the relief in the county before and after a disaster. That responsibility includes calling into action United Way’s trained and spontaneous volunteers and opening a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) to mobilize volunteers.

Disaster Preparedness Resources

Check out helpful information to ensure local families and our community are ready for a storm, and learn how United Way volunteers are activated after a storm.

View Information and Resources
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United Way of Palm Beach County

477 S Rosemary Ave, Suite 230
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 375-6600

A copy of the official registration and information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-435-7352 within the state, or at WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM/DIVISIONS-OFFICES/CONSUMER-SERVICES. Our registration number is CH802. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. One hundred percent of contributions benefit United Way of Palm Beach County, a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization.