A collaboration of government, nonprofit and faith-based organizations has launched the New Hanover Disaster Coalition Command Center, according to an announcement Tuesday.

The entity was created to provide "a new coordinated approach to identifying and responding to community needs following a disaster," a news release stated.

"For the past two years, the New Hanover Disaster Coalition has worked with city and county officials and leaders in the nonprofit and faith communities to strengthen emergency response coordination," according to the release. "Informed by lessons learned during Hurricanes Florence and Helene, the new Command Center will help identify gaps in response and expedite the deployment of resources to neighborhoods, businesses, families and individuals following a storm or other destabilizing disaster."

Participating partners include New Hanover County Emergency Management, the city of Wilmington Emergency Management, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh Cape Fear Region, United Way of the Cape Fear Area and the Harrelson Center, the release stated.

According to the release, the command center will have a dedicated seat within New Hanover County’s Emergency Operations Center, providing direct communication with county emergency management officials and a channel for communicating urgent community needs.

"From there, the Disaster Coalition will help coordinate on-the-ground response with faith communities, nonprofit organizations and volunteers, helping connect identified needs with available resources," the release stated.

The coalition’s operational command center will be located at Plaza on Princess, the 8,000-square-foot event and meeting space at the Harrelson Center. The facility is equipped with a 150-kilowatt generator, according to the release.

“It’s not a matter of if, but when, the next disaster will impact our community,” said Audrey Hart, executive director of the New Hanover Disaster Coalition, in the release. “The purpose of the New Hanover Disaster Coalition is to bring all community partners together to identify gaps, collaborate and communicate with one another on how to best serve our community.”