Disaster Response

Manual

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Home Mission Board September 2015

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Management during Crisis

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Prepare - Practice - Repeat

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Preparing Ourselves We endeavor to get our churches, families, and communities prepared with accurate, timely, and related information. Emergency preparedness efforts are a part of our overall goal of the Home Mission Board to improve the lives of congregations. Knowing what preventive and response actions to take during an emergency can help our congregations, families and communities live safer lives.

Severe weather can disrupt phone and utility services, cut off fresh water supplies, damage roads, homes, businesses, and churches, as well as injure those in its path. During severe weather-related emergencies, you may be without power, water and supplies for days or even weeks. This manual will guide you through steps on what and how to keep your families, homes, churches and communities safe.

Types of Severe Weather • Tornadoes • Hurricanes • Floods • Fires

Likely Actions in an Emergency • Activate your F A M I L Y READINESS PLAN • Know evacuation routes in advance and learn where shelters are located • Listen to local media for updates and where services are being provided

Training and Collaboration As a Home Mission Board we are in process of working on how to expand our knowledge in the area of disasters. It is not just limited to Hurricanes and Floods anymore. We now have to become proactive in the areas of tornadoes, thunderstorms, fires and terrorism.

Home Mission Boards on the Move during Disasters We must examine what our churches can do to get ready for a disaster and effectively serve others. Before you can hope to help others, we must prepare ourselves for an emergency. One of the earliest stories in the Bible is one of a disaster and of disaster preparedness. In the book of Genesis, God warns Noah of a catastrophic flood that will destroy nearly all the living creatures on earth. Noah and his family were to be spared...But survival demands the family take action.

WHAT MAKES NOAH A GOOD EMERGENCY MANAGER? He did all that the Lord commanded him and prepared his family. Now we must do as Noah did and prepare our congregations.

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Three Layers of Preparedness

1. Individual/Household Preparedness 2. Church Preparedness 3. Community Preparedness

Individual/Household Preparedness

The Plan • Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan • Know what to do in case of an emergency • It is important to make sure that the entire family is prepared and informed in the event of

a disaster or emergency. You may not always be together when these events take place and should have plans for making sure you are able to contact and find one another.

The American Red Cross suggests some basic steps to make sure you remain safe: • Meet with your family or household members. Discuss how to prepare and respond to

emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play. • Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as

a team. • I f a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.

Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency Choose two places to meet:

• Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

• Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or saved on their cell phones.

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate: • Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. You may choose

to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.

• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.

• Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

• Let Your Family Know You're Safe

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Church Preparedness

Responsibilities of Church Disaster Response Leaders

Church Disaster Response Director: • Chair the Disaster Response Committee • Assemble a Church Disaster Response Team • Schedule planning and preparation meetings and activities • Schedule training • Enlist a church Resource Coordinator and help that person establish a plan of action and

carry out duties listed below • Enlist a church Volunteer Coordinator and help that person to establish a plan of action

and carry out the duties listed below • Relate to Associational Disaster Response Coordinator, local American Red Cross

Chapter and government authorities • Serve on planning and coordinating groups before, during, and following a disaster • Alert coordinators and the Church Disaster Response Committee. • Prepare the team to respond

Church Resource Coordinator: • Conduct an inventory of building facilities, equipment, supplies, and vehicles that might

be used during a disaster • Determine, with the whole committee, what to recommend to the church regarding the

use of facilities and equipment during a disaster • Enlist volunteers to assist with plans adopted by the church regarding the use of church

facilities and equipment

Church Volunteer Coordinator: • Conduct a skills and talent survey of the church membership • Develop a database of volunteers and skills • Arrange for orientation and training • Organize teams by skills; choose team leaders • Establish a telephone chain for notifying volunteers when a response is possible. Use

non-disaster volunteers for calling • Activate the church disaster RESPONSE telephone chain • Gather volunteers at the church or other locations for assignment to duties and work

locations

Community Preparedness

Know Important Information to Stay Safe... • Learn the types of disasters or emergencies that may likely occur in your area. These

events can range from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like an earthquake or flood.

• Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or National Oceanic and Atmospheric

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Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio stations or channels. (Visit the Red Cross Store to shop for NOAA Weather Radios)

• Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.

• Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or have moved recently. For example, if you travel to a place where earthquakes are common and you are not familiar with them, make sure you know what to do to protect yourself should one occur.

• When a major disaster occurs, your community can change in an instant. • Loved ones may be hurt and emergency response is likely to be delayed. Make sure that

at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This training is useful in many emergency situations.

• Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed.

Emergency Contact Cards for All Household Members... • Print one card for each family member. • Write the contact information for each household member, such as work, school and cell

phone numbers. • Fold the card so it fits in your pocket, wallet or purse. • Carry the card with you so it is available in the event of a disaster or other emergency.

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Flood Safety CheckUst Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturates the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

K n o w the Difference Flood/Flash Flood Watch - Flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area.

Flood/Flash Flood Warning - Flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

What should I do? • Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of

flooding in progress or information from your National Weather Channel or Radio. • Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. • When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and

stay there. • Stay away from floodwaters. I f you come upon a flowing stream where water is above

your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

• I f you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. I f you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.

• Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about rurming water or contaminated water.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

What supplies do I need? • Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day • Food—at least a 3-day supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food • Flashlight • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio • Extra batteries • First aid kit • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses,

contact lenses, syringes, cane) • Multi-purpose tool • Sanitation and personal hygiene items • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information,

deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies) • Cell phone with chargers • Family and emergency contact information • Extra cash • Emergency blanket • Map(s) of the area

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• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers) • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, and bowl) • Tools/supplies for securing your home • Extra set of car keys and house keys • Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes • Rain gear • Insect repellent and sunscreen • Camera for photos of damage

What do I do after a Flood? • Return home only when officials have declared the area safe. • Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines,

foundation cracks or other damage. • Parts of your home may be collapsed or damaged. Approach entrances carefully. See if

porch roofs and overhangs have all their supports. • Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your

home with the floodwater. • I f you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the

fire department. • I f power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. • Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater. • Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel

containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.

• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots. • Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with

floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!

• Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.

• Contact your local or state public health department for specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area after a disaster as water may be contaminated.

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Disaster Response Training TIPS...

VICTIMS OF DISASTER NEED AND WANT WHAT THE CHURCH HAS TO OFFER • When a disaster hits a community, it dissolves into chaos. Lives are shattered and all

support systems are gone. Those who know the Lord are crying out for His help. Those who don't know Him are searching desperately for comfort and meaning. This is an essential and productive time for the Lord's Ambassadors to come calling.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? • There are many ways to help those in need from providing food service, distributing

commodities, helping to clean yards of debris, sandbagging, patching roofs and cleaning out flooded homes. Your particular organizations and churches can introduce you to the benefits and challenges of each of these various aspects of ministry and how you can prepare your team with a plan of action in advance.

HOW DO WE PREPARE? • In an environment where there is no power, scarce water, no open stores, restricted

communications, non-functioning sanitation system and little fuel available, the teams must be organized and sufficiently supported you become a drag on a system that is already broken. By training and organizing in advance, you will know what you require in terms of personnel, housing, food, equipment and supplies and minimize the chances that your mission will fail. By assessing the available resources, leadership and the training necessary to obtain prior to the response, you prepare your team to be confident and ready. It is helpful to prepare teams with basic security, first aid and fire safety training and to have a plan that answers questions in advance so that you are prepared to move and be organized on short notice. Will housing be needed for your team or will they travel home each day? How will they eat and have clean water to drink? What supplies and equipment will they need for the outreaches that have been planned? How will you incorporate ministry into each aspect of the outreach? Who will be the away team members and who will coordinate efforts at home? What should you anticipate when they arrive at the different sites?

• It is important to prepare your team for what they will experience, see, feel and hear and know that each member is prepared to be flexible, positive and willing to work long hours under difficult conditions when necessary. Prepare your team for what they can expect to experience.

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HOW DO WE LEAD OUR TEAM? • Learn how to select a team, prepare them, inspire them, lead them and keep them

functioning as an effective, disciplined group with priorities in place.

HOW DO WE COORDINATE WITH AUTHORITIES AND OTHER RESPONDERS? • A critical part of being effective is coordinating with authorities and others who are

working to help victims. We want to compliment and support each other's work. There is much more to do than one team can accomplish on their own and whatever you can do to help authorities and other groups will be to everyone's benefit.

MINISTERING TO DISASTER VICTIMS • It is important to ready ourselves spiritually so that we can minister to others. You should

discuss ways to stay strong and how to reach out and show Jesus to others as you provide physical aid. You should introduce key ministry techniques and principals that are effective in the aftermath of a disaster and work hand in hand with the unique psychological challenges people face when they experience extreme loss and a complete change in their day to day existence.

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