In A Cooperative Effort with

1. In A Cooperative Effort with Presents

2. Early Response Team Providing a Caring Christian Presence in the Aftermath of Disaster A Collaborative Effort with

3. Today's Schedule • House keeping • Class overview and outcomes

4. Do you know? You will… • Is insurance required? • Do you have to have a tool trailer? • Are background checks required? • Is there an age limit? • If not ERT, what can I do? • How do I get a team together?

5. Introductions • Name • Church/district • What was your last natural disaster experience?

6. Mission The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster.

7. Mission ..a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster.

8. History • 1969 Hurricane Camille • 1990’s creation of ERT concept for UMC • 2007 New Covenant Agreement

9. Who are UMCOR and UMVIM? United Methodist Committee On Relief United Methodist Volunteers In Mission

10. Who are UMCOR and UMVIM? • Guiding Values for Humanitarian Relief Work… • Why We Are Volunteers…

11. Covenant The Covenant With the grace of God and the support of my colleagues in UMCOR and UMVIM, I will: • Treat all people involved in a disaster as children of God and worthy of my respect. • Regard the collegiality of my fellow workers as a gift from God. • Seek to understand and support the variety of roles needed in Disaster Response. • Practice good stewardship of my own resources and those of the various disaster volunteer teams understanding that the funding of the work of the UMVIM is the responsibility of the volunteers, and that General Advance funds collected by UMCOR for a disaster are distributed within an annual conference by the conference leadership.

12. Covenant • Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning my own role. • Be ready to listen as a ministry of healing. • Avoid taking sides in local dynamics that may be exacerbated in a disaster. • Hold fast as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the midst of the chaos of disaster. Covenant Commitment Mindful of the suffering of Christ in the suffering of others, I hereby make my commitment, holding myself accountable to my colleagues in Disaster Response and seeking to be mutually supportive at every opportunity.

13. Definition of a Disaster • A disaster is a specific event which results in overwhelming physical, economic and/or emotional damage: • Results in significant harm to people and property • Disrupts normal pattern of living • Overwhelms a community’s ability to respond • May affect individual, family, neighborhood, community, region…

14. Types of Disasters • Natural disasters • Technical disasters • Economic disasters • Civil disasters • Accidents • Other

15. Phases of Disaster The Disaster Readiness and Response Cycle When do ERT’s deploy? Relief

16. Phases of a Disasters • Preparation Phase • Response (emergency & relief) • Recovery Phase (short & long term) • Mitigation • X x10 x10

17. Levels of a Disasters • Low Level • Your own community, no invitation needed, Connecting Neighbors • Medium Level • Outside community, need invitation • High Level • Invitation through jurisdictional UMVIM

18. BREAK TIME

19. WHY • There are many other organizations involved in the Early Response. Red Cross, Salvation Army, Baptist Men and others. Why does the UMC need to get involved?

20. WHY Assures survivors the church cares Opportunity for service, answering your “call” Immediate assistance Visibility for hope for the long run

21. WHAT • What do Early Response Teams do?

22. Tasks To Do

23. Tasks To Do • Tarp roofs and other openings in homes • Remove debris • Clean out flooded homes- always with permission! • Help with donations management • Help gather information

24. Working with Survivors • The four tasks in recovery from disaster: • Accept the reality of the situation. I can’t believe it happened! 2. Experience the pain. It’s OK to hurt. 3. Accept that a new situation is required. 4. Withdrawing the emotional investment in the past and transferring it to the new.

25. 7 Things to Know We are guests in their home Christian witness by action Confidentiality No promises Refer Ministry of presence Do say/don’t say

26. Incident Command System

27. Phases of Assistance

28. WHO • Team Makeup • The size of the team will vary based on need • 7-14 people per team • Train a LOT more people than you need!

29. WHO • Team Leader • Assistant Team Leader • Logistics • Base Camp Manager • Equipment Manager • Safety Officer • Listener/ Team recorder

30. Team Leader • In charge of the team • Must have overall understanding of the role of ERT • Will work directly with the affected community Ask questions on behalf of team. • Direct all work of the team • Trained UMVIM Leader (CN Conf.)

31. Question by Team Leader • Bivouac Area • 1. Where is the bivouac area? How far to the work sites? • 2. Is the bivouac area secure, i.e., can we leave our camp site set up while we are working? • 3. Is there potable/drinkable water available? • 4. Are there sanitary facilities available, i.e., toilets? • 5. Are there showers available? • 6. Is there power available? • Are there any cooking facilities available? • Is there cell phone service in the area?

32. Question by Team Leader Work Sites: • Are the sites wet, i.e., do we need boots? • Will we be working on basements? Do we need pumps? • Are the houses more than one story? • Is there a mold problem yet? Will we have to do mold remediation? • Do we have to be concerned about asbestos? • Have insurance adjusters inspected the homes? • What job assignments can we expect? • Has the home owner's written permission to work on the house already been obtained?

33. Question by Team Leader • General Questions: • Who is our point of contact when we arrive? • Is there a case worker accessible to us? • 3. Where do we report? What time of day will we need to report upon arrival? • 4. We have T-shirts with our logo on them. Is this appropriate? • 6. Are there hardware stores, lumber yards, etc available for us to purchase any necessary supplies? • 7. Are there grocery stores and filling stations, available? • 8. Can you tell us anything about road closures? • 9. Where are the closest emergency medical facilities?

34. Assistant Team Leader • Backup for team leader • If Team leader needs to leave site this person will direct the team • Aware of all that’s going on.

35. Logistics • Find the needed supplies • Transport the team • Site Safety

36. Safety Officer New Role! Personal safety of all team members is of utmost importance. This position watches for • proper use of person protective equipment • physical and emotional stamina

37. Base Camp Manager • Food • Cooking • Water • Shelter if needed • Showers?

38. Equipment Maintenance • Keep all equipment in working order

39. Listener / Team Recorder • Listen to the survivor • Will keep all records and forms for the team • Relay information to local contact

40. Listening to Survivors The four phases in recovery: • Accept the reality of the situation. 2. Experience the pain. 3. Accept that a new situation is required. 4. Withdrawing the emotional investment in the past and transferring it to the new. Listening to their story: Where were you when this happened to you? What were you thinking when this happened?

41. Attributes • Spiritual Commitment • Team player • People are more important than task • Trained • Positive attitude • Observant • Understanding • Ownership is the communities

42. Can Anyone be on a Team? • Must 18 years and older • Must be physically able to do tasks • Must be available! • GPS/3P’s • Go/Players • Pray/Prayers • Support/Payers

43. Debriefing Self Care: “Self-care is never a selfish act- it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others. …We do so (not only for ourselves but) for the many others whose lives we touch.” Let Your Life Speak by P.J. Palmer

44. Debriefing Every Night: Reflections on the day? Spiritual dimensions? Personal feelings? How did we connect? Concerns or issues? What to watch for: How we are feeling Participation by all Health and safety Relief process issues Survivor issues

45. Team Safety • Personal Safety • Personal Safety Equipment • Safe Use of Team Equipment • Additional Trainings

46. Early Response Team Protocols • Trained by UMCOR Authorized Trainers • Deployed and Coordinated through UMVIM • Led by Trained UMVIM leader (CN Conf) • Invitation • 3-Day Limit • Self Sufficient

47. Badging Team Members To qualify for the initial UMCOR ERT badge a participant must: • Attend the complete basic class led by an Authorized trainer • Pass California Nevada Conference background check • Complete Safe Sanctuaries • Pass the ERT basic class quiz

48. Equipping an Early Response Team • Self-sufficient and self-sustaining • Must have photo ID issued by UMCOR/conference • An equipment trailer is recommended but not required • DO NOT INCLUDE chainsaws on the trailer for general use

49. Chainsaw Operator Requirements Own the chainsaw you operate Have verification of training (outside of this class) Meet OSHA requirements for: PPE Saw safety equipment