Disaster Relief Training United Methodists In Disaster Response

1. Disaster Relief Training United Methodists In Disaster Response

2. Your Community Needs YOU!

3. When a Disaster occurs we can either float (if we are prepared) or sink (if we have failed to prepare)

4. The Choice is YOURS!

5. Purpose of Training: To give churches tools that will enable them to construct a viable disaster response program that can provide assistance to those effected by a disaster.

6. Areas to Cover: • Establishing the basic structure for a disaster relief program • Determining the needs of the congregation that must be considered during a disaster • Assessing areas of strength that can be utilized during a disaster • Establishing leadership for each area of strength (continued on next slide)

7. Areas to Cover: Cont. • Communicating with District and Conference teams who provide training and other tools that will be a help in disaster relief. • Developing working relationships with established local disaster relief agencies Develop tools to prepare your congregation for a disaster • Building relationships with other churches in your area to expand the scope and strength of your local church plan

8. Need for a disaster response program: I didn’t think we needed a plan I was wrong!

9. WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

11. Disasters happen at the most inopportune times.

12. Establishing a Structure for Disaster Relief SEEMS Like it’s tough to do!

13. Until it Happens to YOU!

14. Then its too late!

15. Don’t Wait Until You Are In The Middle Of A Disaster To Get Prepared!

16. So You Want To Be Prepared? First Thing You Do Is Select A Disaster Relief Coordinator

17. Select a Disaster Relief Coordinator This person must possess the following skills: • They Must be a Person • They must be willing to put forth a small amount of effort • They must be able to talk • They must be willing to make decisions • They must be willing to communicate with the District and Conference • Most important – They must have the desire to help people in need.

18. And Be Prepared To Take The Heat!

19. Establish a leadership team (suggestions) Pastor Trustee Chairperson Finance Chairperson Disaster Relief Coordinator Ad Council/Board Chair

20. Small But Effective Now you have a small team of five. The team is small enough to be a good decision making group, and large enough to make sure there is leadership during a disaster.

21. Job Description of Disaster Task Force • This group will be in charge of determining the areas of strength that can be utilized in a disaster • They will establish the leadership for each area of church involvement • They will coordinate a disaster response • They will keep themselves available for decision making during the disaster

22. Determining the needs of the congregation and your community during a disaster

23. Different Situations Need Different Solutions!

24. There needs to be a real assessment made of the demographics of your church and your community! What is the make-up of your church, and what is the make-up of your community.

25. Retired Children Well Off Elderly IDENTIFY NEEDSWhat is the makeup of our congregation?. Mobile Yuppies Young Primarily on Social Security Established Families Low Income

26. Homebound Elderly Home Bound What Special Situations Do You Have In Your congregation? Handicapped People without Transportation People without Relatives or a Place to Go Low Income Families

27. Mobile Homes Nursing Homes close by Special Needs in Your Community People without transportation Low Income Families Non Insured Families

28. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Into The Water!

29. Once you have determined the needs of your church and community, then you are ready to assess areas of strength in your church that can be utilized during a disaster

30. The real question you must seek to answer is, “How can we, as a church, help in the event of a disaster.” Since we have looked at the make-up of your church and community now we must identify the strengths of your church that might be useful in a disaster. You may also include in this process thought about what could become a strength if purposefully planned for the future. This is what disaster preparedness is all about.

31. IDENTIFY RESOURCES

32. What Facilities Do You Have? Computers or Internet Access Classrooms Day Care Food Bank Kitchen Showers or Large Bathrooms Fellowship Hall

33. Contractors Electricians Truck Drivers Cooks Farmers What Human Resources Do You Have? Ham Radio Operators Volunteers Nurses Doctors

34. Now that you have listed needs and identified facilities and areas of strength, it is time to determine what areas your church can help in a disaster.

35. Here are a few of the ways in which a church can help:

36. Distribution Centers Food Clothing Furniture

37. Shelter Primary Shelter Secondary Shelter Special Needs Shelter Temporary Housing Adopt a Family Adopt a Pet

38. Special Needs Transportation Of People with Special Needs Bus Assistant for Passenger Support Identify People with Special Needs

39. Education Teach Programs on Preparedness Establish personal Preparedness Programs Teach First Aid

40. Volunteer Programs Talent Bank Home Repairs Debris Clean Up Tree Removal Translation services for Non-English Speaking Persons

41. This is where your Disaster Committee takes all of the information that you have put together as a church and forms a formal written plan.

42. Now! Let’s Build A Disaster Plan

43. Establishing leadership for each area of strength Once you have determined areas where you can assist during a disaster, thought needs to be given to potential leaders that could work in that area and a structure to support the effort.

44. Example: Providing food for disaster workers Procurement Coordinator Inventory Director Preparation Coordinator Set-up Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Media Coordinator Treasurer

45. For each area of disaster assistance there needs to be individuals that know they are to meet at the church as soon as possible. It would be helpful to post who is in charge of each responsibility. This is especially true when the shifts change.

46. You don’t have to feel like you are alone in a Disaster. You are apart of an important team in your community.

47. Your District and Conference are there to help support your efforts.

48. Communicating with District and Conference Once disaster plans have been developed for your local church, a copy of your plans should be filed with the District office, the District Disaster Relief Coordinator and your Conference Disaster Coordinator.

49. Included with those plans should be an indication of your churches willingness to assist with disasters outside of your immediate area, and contact persons for your church. These plans should be updated annually and given to District and Conference Disaster Leaders.

50. By submitting our plans to the District Office and to your District Disaster Coordinator you have made a vital link with your District and Conference that will get the ball rolling.