The Disaster Services program is charged with responding to the needs of victims of disasters throughout our service area. Such disasters include, but are not limited to, single and multiple family fires, floods, winters storms, and transportation mishaps. In responding to verifiable emergencies, volunteer Disaster Action Team members are authorized to provide emergency food, clothing and shelter to assist families to again become self sufficient, and to reduce stress and hardships. Offers disaster preparedness services and disaster training classes.

Provide relief to victims of disaster. Provide disaster community education programs. Provide relief to victims in single-family fires. Work with city government to maintain disaster plan for city-wide coverage.

Provides assistance in the wake of all types of disasters, natural or otherwise. Services provided include spiritual ministry; counseling; identification/registration; mobile feeding; congregate feeding; financial assistance; shelter; donated materials; basic commodities; reconstruction and advocacy.

Responds to disasters occurring within communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Provides a plan for recovery that covers the basic needs of emergency lodging, food, clothing, medications, and crisis counseling, as well as other resources available to meet the emergency needs of family and individuals

Emergency Assistance (EA) provides short term, limited financial assistance to families with children when a fire or other natural disaster has destroyed those things necessary for taking care of your family. Emergency Assistance is also available if your family lost all income between December 1 and March 15 and the loss is due to severe weather or energy shortage layoffs. Emergency Assistance payments can be made for food, clothing, shelter, or the repair or replacement of essential household items. The amount of assistance cannot be more than $500 and is limited to 30 consecutive days in any 12 month.

Dec. 4, 2025 Warming Shelter: SJC Warming Shelter, 112 Center Street, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Provides disaster relief for victims of domestic disasters - fires and floods; and training for disaster volunteers. Community education on family disaster preparation. The emergency contact phone number is 1-800-733-2767. This is a Statewide 24/7 call center which will ensure all calls are answered by a live person and will be forwarded to the proper channels.

The Central Shenandoah EMS Council, Inc. (CSEMS) provides regional planning and educational services to the five cities and five counties, eleven towns and many public agencies within its boundaries. CSEMS's member localities are the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro and the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham. CSEMS provides many EMS related services to a geographic area of 3,439 square miles with a population of over 278,000 making it the Commonwealth's largest planning district, geographically speaking, and fifth largest in terms of population. It is located along the I-81 & I-64 corridors in the Central Shenandoah Valley.

Provides assistance to families that does not exceed over 30 days in any 12 consecutive month period and covers food, clothing, shelter, or repair or replacement of essential household items that have resulted from a natural disaster or a fire in the home. It is also available to anyone who has lost income due to severe weather or energy shortage.