Cade leads MSU Extension disaster response, recovery

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University Extension county coordinator with a comprehensive emergency assistance background has been appointed to lead the organization’s disaster response and recovery efforts.

Vivian Cade begins serving as MSU Extension’s program coordinator for response and recovery May 1. This role monitors weather, drought, emergency management, public health and agricultural disease information to support timely preparedness, response and coordinated messaging for MSU Extension leadership and stakeholders.

Cade will also manage, train and deploy Extension strike teams and serve as a liaison to state, federal and emergency partners. She has led and participated in numerous strike teams herself for more than a decade in response to weather-related disasters. She will also serve as the MSU Extension point of contact with the Extension Disaster Education Network.

MSU Extension is one of many state agencies written into the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s comprehensive emergency management plan to respond to disasters. Emergency support functions include mass care services, donations management, agricultural damage assessments and work relief, with MSU Extension serving as a supporting agency.

Cade retains her current responsibilities as coordinator of MSU Extension’s Lowndes County office in addition to the new role.

Sumner Davis, department head of the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development, said Cade will support long-term recovery, resilience training, and disaster education efforts across Mississippi.

“Vivian will provide technical assistance to units of state and local government, non-governmental agencies and organizations, civic or community-based organizations and faith-based organizations by assisting with the establishment of volunteer and donations management programming, whole community resilience and long-term recovery activities and appropriate continuity of operations efforts,” Davis said.

Cade replaces Tom Ball, who is retiring after more than 20 years in the role and more than 25 years of service to MSU Extension.

“Vivian brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a steady, collaborative approach to this role,” said Angus Catchot, director of MSU Extension. “Her background in emergency assistance and long-standing relationships with local and state partners will enhance Extension’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters while continuing to serve Mississippi communities effectively.”

More information on the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development is online at gcd.extension.msstate.edu.