Church Disaster
Preparation
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 1

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
Goal:
To assist churches to prepare for disaster by developing a strategy to minister to their communities during crisis through preparing their facilities, training their members, securing supplies, and developing protocols that will activate their disaster response plans.
NAMB Church Preparedness 2

Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Matthew 28: 18-20
•
Matthew 25: 31-46
•
Luke 10: 25-37
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 3

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
What disasters can happen in your community?
What would people need if that disaster happened?
NAMB Church Preparedness 4

Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Churches should consider the needs of individuals and families.
•
Plans should include specific ministries
– “Remember, ministry is the act of serving.”
•
Churches must plan for and train members to minister to those caught in crisis.
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 5

Church Disaster
Preparation
Churches and Disasters
•
A church is in a unique position to respond to the needs of its community.
•
A church can demonstrate the love of Christ to its community.
•
A church can meet the needs of victims.
• A church’s facilities can be used to minister in many ways to its community .
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 6

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Church facilities in the affected
• area can be used as:
•
Bulk distribution center
•
Food, supplies, clothing
•
Child care center
• Communication center
•
Information center
•
Shelter for victims
NAMB Church Preparedness 7

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
Church facilities in the affected area can be used as:
•
Shelter for volunteers
•
Staging area
•
Feeding site
•
Command center
NAMB Church Preparedness 8

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
• Gathering point
•
Orientation center
•
Shelter for volunteers
•
Shelter for victims
NAMB Church Preparedness 9

Church Disaster
Preparation
Local Church Preparation
•
Work with others cooperatively
•
Coordinate with Red Cross, Salvation Army, government, state conventions, and SBC
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 10

Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Develop a crisis closet
•
Be alert for opportunities to minister
•
Identify and assign volunteers
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 11

Church Disaster
Preparation
Organizing for Disaster Response
Local Church Preparation
• Elect a disaster relief committee
•
Provide training for the committee
• Survey members for skills, talents and interest
• Make facilities available for DR
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 12

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
• Secure church approval to coordinate with other disaster relief entities
•
Make contact with government and ARC to coordinate before a disaster
•
Be alert to crises for opportunities to minister
• Identify and assign volunteers according to talents
• Conduct damage assessment and notify associational and state DR leadership
NAMB Church Preparedness 13

Church Disaster
Preparation
3/2004
Church Disaster Relief Leadership
Church DR director
Church DR resources coordinator
Church DR volunteer coordinator
NAMB Church Preparedness 14

Church
DR Leadership
• Church DR Director
– Trained
–
Chair of the DR Committee
– Assemble church DR response team
–
Schedule
• meetings, activities, training
– Enlist other committee members
–
Serve on planning groups
– Relate to state, association, ARC and others
–
Alert church to opportunities to minister
– Prepare church disaster team to respond
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 15

Church
DR Leadership
•
Church Resource Coordinator
–
Trained
–
Conduct inventory of facilities, equipment, supplies and vehicles
– Determine what to recommend for church approval for use
– Enlist volunteers to assist with plans for use approved by the church
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 16

Church
DR Leadership
• Church Volunteer Coordinator
–
Trained
–
Conduct skills survey of church members
– Develop database of volunteers
– Arrange for orientation and training of volunteers
– Organize teams
–
Activate church phone chain when needed
–
Assign volunteer teams duties
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 17

Church
DR Leadership
• Church Disaster Relief Team
–
Trained
–
Open the church as a shelter
– Prepare vehicles for a response
– Assist with evacuation
– Check on elderly and others who may need help
–
Clear church parking lot
–
Assist families in keeping with church DR plan
–
Provide temporary child care or elder care
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 18

Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Mitigation
•
Preparation
•
Warning
•
Rescue
•
Evacuation
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 19

Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Pray
• Discuss with the pastor
•
Complete church checklist
• Discuss with men’s ministry director or others
• Consider finances
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 20

Church Disaster
Preparation
(continued)
•
Recommend leadership team
•
Discuss with state convention and association
DR leaders
• Make list of possible services
•
Contact local Red Cross, Salvation Army and government agencies.
•
Select service and recommend to church
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 21

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Church Approval
– Present pertinent facts
– Develop a mission statement
– Present proposal to church
– Tell why ministry is needed
NAMB Church Preparedness 22

3/2004
Church Disaster
Preparation
•
Cooperate with other agencies
– Reach an agreement with associational & state leadership
– Arrange for training
– Reach agreement with other agencies that respond to disaster in your community
– Secure permits, licenses or certification
– Check insurance
– Prepare to report to association, state DR leadership and other agencies you will be working with
NAMB Church Preparedness 23

Church Disaster
Preparation
3/2004 NAMB Church Preparedness 24