When disaster strikes, chaos often arrives first. Roads wash out, power lines fall, and information floods in from every direction. In the middle of that storm, one of the most valuable tools we have is structure. That structure is called the Incident Command System, or ICS.

ICS is a nationally recognized framework developed by FEMA, designed to make sure everyone involved in a response knows exactly who to report to, what their role is, and how information flows. Think of it as a plug-and-play system. Whether it is federal agencies, local fire departments, or volunteer groups like Grounded Boots Relief, ICS allows them to slot into a common chain of command. That means the right people can take on the right responsibilities without wasting time or stepping on each other’s toes.

For Grounded Boots Relief, ICS is the foundation of how we integrate into larger disaster responses. Our volunteers may be working alongside county emergency management, national nonprofits, or even spontaneous local crews. If everyone follows the ICS model, we all speak the same language. That language promotes clarity.

Why might this matter to you? Because every volunteer who understands ICS becomes more effective in the field. It is the difference between a chaotic swarm of helpers and a coordinated team that can actually save lives. Knowing where you fit, who you report to, and how your work supports the larger mission ensures that your effort adds strength instead of confusion.

We encourage all of our volunteers to take the free online ICS courses offered by FEMA. The four most important to start with are:

These courses are free and open to anyone. They take some time, but they give you the knowledge to plug into any disaster response effort in the country. Even if you never deploy with Grounded Boots Relief, you will carry with you an understanding of how disaster response works at its core.

FEMA may change, grow, or even shrink over the years, but ICS will remain. It has proven itself time and again as the backbone of coordinated disaster relief. If you are serious about volunteering, consider it your first step toward becoming a stronger, more capable responder.

Preparedness begins long before the storm. ICS ensures that when the moment comes, we are not only ready but also unified.

Earlier this year, Grounded Boots Relief officially adopted Pisgah Drive here in Hendersonville, and we are proud to play a role in keeping it clean. Our next cleanup will take place on Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. Depending on how many volunteers attend, the effort usually takes 45 to 60 minutes.

This is a simple but meaningful way to serve the community, and we would love to have you join us. Volunteers do not need to commit beyond the day. This is a chance to learn more about Grounded Boots Relief firsthand, whether you are interested in long-term recovery projects, deployments, administrative roles, or simply doing good for its own sake.

If you would like to be part of the cleanup, please RSVP through our Facebook event: Pisgah Drive Cleanup Event.

Together, we can keep our roads clear and our community strong.

The First Adopt-a-Highway Sign
On March 9, 1985, the very first Adopt-a-Highway sign went up along Texas Highway 69. The Tyler Civitan Club pledged to clean a two-mile stretch of road after a local engineer, James Evans, grew tired of watching trash blow out of pickup trucks. His idea spread worldwide, and today the program exists in countries like Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.
Source: history.com

When I first built GroundedBootsRelief.org, it was page by page. There was not much method to the madness. A thought would pop into my head, and I would make a page accordingly. Overall, I am proud of what the site became, but with hindsight I can see the value of being more methodical in the future. The site was built with a “good enough for now” mindset, and while that moment has passed, it did its job well. I may sound like I am writing a eulogy for the site, but I am really recognizing its benefits while looking forward to its makeover. We are now redesigning the site to be more intuitive for new users and to remove redundancies. If you want to look back on the old days, visit our site now so you can later say, “I remember when Grounded Boots Relief’s site looked so homemade.”

I have recited General Patton’s quote, “A violently executed plan today is better than a good plan next week,” often enough that people have snickered at my repeating it. The original website followed that mantra. I now propose an extension: “A violently executed plan today is better than a good plan next week, until the next week.” It is the next week now, and it is time to revise, not only the website but also our practices as a nonprofit.

At the beginning, I asked almost anyone with a connection to nonprofits or Hendersonville Disaster Relief if they wanted to join the board. That worked at the time. Today, we have moved to a stronger structure. We now have an advisory panel of people whose input we value. Over time, some of them may join the board of directors if both they and the board agree. This system gives everyone time to work together, share ideas, and see whether it is a good fit.

Accepting anyone interested was good enough then. What we have now is stronger. I am proud of the people on our board and on our advisory panel. They bring unique expertise that allows me to learn from them and apply that knowledge to the organization.

If you believe in our mission, and you'd like to join our advisory panel, I encourage you to reach out to me directly at j.badger@groundedbootsrelief.org and throw your name in the hat.