Joining Together in Times of Crisis
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What happens when a disaster strikes in your area?
When a disaster strikes, each county has an Emergency Management Agency responsible to be the first on the scene. This agency works closely with non-governmental agencies including The Red Cross to establish shelters.
In the first few days after the disaster, pastors and church leaders need to make a quick assessment of the level of damage to church facilities and parsonages, and to the local community. Report such damage to your district office or district disaster coordinator.
If the district disaster coordinator feels help is needed, Early Response Teams are activated. Early Response Teams are specially trained volunteers who understand the spiritual and emotional crisis a disaster creates. They are equipped to stop the damage and stabilize the situation but they do not do long-term repairs.
Early Response Teams cannot go into the disaster until the Emergency Management Agency has determined that conditions are safe for limited numbers of volunteers.
Volunteers In Mission are people who do long-term clean up and repairs. The VIM team normally does not get involved until after the insurance and government disaster assessments have been completed.
People with a heart for helping in disaster often volunteer and train for more than one of these areas. If you have an interest in helping people to recover spiritually, emotionally, and physically from a disaster, contact your district office or district coordinator.
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