For Emergency Managers
Grounded Boots Relief partners with emergency management agencies to provide accurate, field-verified data and logistical support in the critical hours following a disaster. Our goal is to strengthen coordination and reduce uncertainty in the field by delivering clear, actionable information when traditional systems are disrupted.
Our Range of Response
Grounded Boots Relief’s current operational range covers approximately a 500-mile radius from our headquarters in Henderson County, North Carolina. This area includes much of the Southeastern United States, allowing us to reach communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and portions of neighboring states.
This range ensures that our teams can deploy rapidly, maintain communication reliability, and coordinate effectively with local and state emergency management partners. By staying within this radius, we balance speed and sustainability — ensuring that our reconnaissance, reporting, and logistical support arrive when and where they are most effective.
Our Role in Emergency Response
Grounded Boots Relief specializes in post-disaster reconnaissance and communication.
We deploy small, trained teams that enter impacted areas to gather real-time situational awareness, including:
Damage assessments and accessibility mapping
Route validation for incoming responders and resource convoys
Identification of isolated or stranded populations
Supply verification for local points of distribution
Geo-tagged photography and written field summaries
Our information supports EOCs, county and state emergency management, and partner VOADs in prioritizing missions and allocating resources efficiently.
We operate within a 500-mile radius of Western North Carolina and integrate with local command structures wherever possible. All volunteers receive ICS-based training and follow proper reporting channels to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Coordination and Integration
Grounded Boots Relief does not self-deploy or operate independently of local authority. We coordinate directly with emergency management to ensure that reconnaissance, communication, and resource efforts support the broader response structure.
We can assist with:
First-in reconnaissance and route clearing coordination
Resource movement and situational updates from field teams
Volunteer integration under existing ICS frameworks
Long-term recovery liaison connections within Western North Carolina
Our Emergency Management Liaison
Thomas Gioello, Emergency Management Liaison and Board Member
Thomas Gioello brings over a decade of leadership in all-hazards emergency management, with expertise spanning preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. Based in Winston-Salem, he currently serves as Emergency Management Planner and Workplace Violence Coordinator for Cone Health, where he develops system-wide emergency plans, leads training for thousands of staff, and coordinates with municipal and educational partners.
Previously with the Triad Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, he supported regional continuity of operations across 18 counties. A graduate of Western Carolina University, Thomas earned his Master of Healthcare Administration and serves as Secretary of the North Carolina Emergency Management Association.
Thomas serves as the primary liaison between Grounded Boots Relief and emergency management agencies across our region. His leadership ensures that our volunteer operations align with established frameworks, adhere to safety standards, and deliver information that directly supports decision-making.
Connect with Us
To coordinate with Grounded Boots Relief during or after an incident, contact:
[email protected]
Subject Line: Emergency Management Coordination [your county, state]
For direct liaison inquiries or interagency partnerships, contact:
[email protected]
