Emergency Management

Resources for congregations and individuals for being prepared for disasters and emergency situations. Please also check your district website, many districts have listings for local and state resources.

We especially recommend these resources to help you with this issue:

Where to Start

Make a Plan

    • Develop a congregational communications plan.  Know how you will reach those who are in need of medication, the home-bound, etc
    • Inventory your assets
    • Create a plan of how to provide shelter in place, safety in the congregation’s building
    • Create a plan for evacuation

Getting Ready for that "We Hope it Never Happens Here Event" that Just Might Happen

    • Keep insurance policies up to date with realistic coverage levels 
    • Do not keep the insurance policy in the church building to avoid it being lost or damaged if the building should be damaged or destroyed
    • Check flood plain plans to be sure the church is not in any newly drawn plans. If it is obtain flood insurance
    • Have someone trained to know what to do to coordinate information and how to file claims
    • Have someone act as coordinator to meet and get to know fire and police responders 
    • Develop a plan on how to safeguard essential church documents.  Make a second copy of all legal documents, insurance policies and other vital files and move them to an off-site storage area.
    • Develop a communication plan to keep congregation members connected and informed in the event of a disaster.

Get a Kit

    • Gather and have on hand an emergency supply kit – water, food, first-aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies, sanitation needs, hygiene items, etc.

Be Informed

    • Learn about specific threats to your city/region, and know what you will have to do.

Make a Checklist

    • Phone numbers,  check to see if there is adequate insurance, know how to use fire extinguishers, check smoke detectors regularly, stock emergency supplies, take a CPR class, determine escape route, determine safe spots in the building

Practice and maintain your plan.

    • Check utilities and know where all sources are located.

Resources

FEMA: Are You Ready? An in-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. www.fema.gov/areyouready/

Another source is this guidelines for emergency planning from Public Administration.net - http://www.publicadministration.net/resources/creating-an-emergency-plan/

Roberts and Ashley: Disaster Spiritual Care: Practical Clergy Responses to Community, Region and National Tragedy. Skylight Paths Publ. 2008. A 348 page book highly recommended by the ELCA. Can be found on Amazon or other book services.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: Light Our Way - A guide for Spiritual care in Times of Disaster. Request from VOAD at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write: NVOAD, 1501 Lee Highway, Suite 206, Arlington VA 22209. Or phone 703-778-5088.

Non-Profit and Religous Disaster Response Websites

Federal Disaster Response Websites

 
 
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