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UMCOR Early Response Team Training provides you with the basic information you need about Early Response Teams. ERTs fill a specific need in the days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes and otherwise help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence.
ERTs are not a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams. Under very specific guidelines, ERTs assist survivors, without causing further harm or being a burden to the affected community.
All ERT members are trained by authorized UMCOR trainers, and are given identification badges as evidence of successful completion of the basic class. It is ideal for each church to have ERT trained volunteers who are able to respond to needs across the Conference and UMC jurisdiction. Under the UMCOR system, early responders cannot help unless they are trained.
UMCOR Site Evaluation Training explores ways to evaluate a site for safety and suitability for an ERT. ERT site evaluation specialty teams could be very helpful in the earliest days after an event to set the way for other teams to come. This class is not designed for use in rebuilding or repairing.
Crisis Response Care Training Opportunities: Crisis Response Training impacts communities through training and supporting many first responder networks. CPC hosts a program which introduces an intervention protocol developed specifically for dealing with traumatic events known as Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Classes are available in-person in southern Missouri. Learn more and find available classes at www.crisisresponse.org.
Event Date: November 11, 2023
Location: Wentzville
The hub network is another way local churches can participate in disaster response work. Each hub network site focuses on a particular disaster relief kit. The Conference Disaster Response Coordinator works with each site manager on kit inventory and deployment. The sites provide storage, verify kits before they are shipped to a disaster site and provide monthly reporting to the Conference.
The hubs can accept kits from local churches working to help build the overall Conference inventory. Please contact the appropriate hub network coordinator before delivering kits to the sites. Read more about the hub network at this link.
Missouri Conference Disaster Response Center (Columbia) – All Kits
Scott Burdin | (660) 676-3454 | sburdin@moumethodist.org
New McKendree (Jackson) – Cleaning Kits (a.k.a. flood buckets)
Todd Rushing | (573) 450-4203 | toddru@rushingmarine.com
Saint Paul’s (Joplin) – Hygiene Kits
Nancy Hampton | (417) 825-1548 | nhampton@sp.church
Woods Chapel (Lee’s Summit) – Cleaning Kits
Ann Williams | (816) 810-0687 | annw@woodschapelchurch.org
Macon – Menstrual Hygiene Kit (a.k.a. period pack)
Scott Burdin | (660) 676-3454 | sburdin@moumethodist.org
One piece of the readiness puzzle is understanding where assets are located. When a disaster hits, information gathered ahead of time makes it easier to coordinate the help that affected individuals and local organizations need.
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Scott Burdin is working to get a better idea of where United Methodist-related resources lie in Missouri. The Local Church Disaster Response Resources Form will help us identify churches who are willing to host teams, have showers, have professionally trained church members (doctors, nurses, counselors, etc.) who are willing to help, have equipment staging areas and more.
Work with your local church to fill out the form linked below. You can start the form, submit it and re-access it later to make updates. If your church does not have any of the assets listed, or is not interested in helping, please note that on the form. All information is helpful!
Our Conference Disaster Response Plan is designed to be a living document. It serves as a guide – for the Conference, districts, local churches, clergy and all those who find themselves within our Annual Conference – to plan for, respond to and recover from a disastrous event. The Conference Disaster Response Coordinator (CDRC) will evaluate, practice and critique the plan annually. Any additions, deletions and updates without budgetary implications will be made and shared with the Annual Conference.
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Around the U.S. and around the world, the United Methodist Committee on Relief provides resources for disaster response and rebuilding. Click here to check out current projects across the country.
Level of Certification or Skills Required: All levels
Three communities were hit by the tornado: Sherwood Shores, Bowie and Jacksboro. Of those three, Jacksboro had the most damage. Eighty homes were destroyed or damaged; the number is expected to rise to 100+ as more evaluations are completed. The North Texas Conference will be asking for and accepting registration of ERT teams to do tarping, muck-out and tree trimming. They can be either a fully trained ERT team or have a 1:1 ratio (one trained team member for each untrained team member). This is expected to be a 3-4 week need. The UMC is the only relief agency bringing in teams. The county is supplying all the tarps, 2x4s, plywood, etc. The county can house two teams at a time plus day-trippers who do not need lodging.
Interested? Teams must please register with Rev. Jacob Fields. Email or call him to indicate interest in serving, to seek more information or to ask any questions at jacobw.fields@gmail.com and at (940) 320-9492.
Teams are encouraged to plan to arrive either Sunday night or Monday morning and to book their time in Jacksboro by contacting Jacob. Ideally, each team will work up to three days on site and depart on Friday morning. If you, or anyone from your church or team goes to help, please report your volunteer hours to Scott at sburdin@moumethodist.org.
Level of Certification or Skills Required: All levels
The Louisiana Annual Conference is ready to receive long-term volunteer teams to help with recent years’ devastating hurricane seasons. Lodging and meals will be provided. You need to provide the team and tools. Materials will be at the job site. If your group is interested,
Interested? Fill out this form
Level of Certification or Skills Required: All levels
The Tennessee/Western Kentucky Conference is getting ready for long term recovery teams to help with the rebuild. Some areas are a little farther along than others, and this is just the beginning to a long-term process.
Interested? Visit www.twkumc.org/disaster-response to sign up. If you, or anyone from your church or team goes to help, please report your volunteer hours to Scott at sburdin@moumethodist.org.
Level of Certification or Skills Required: All levels
The Northwest Texas Conference is seeking teams to work in Lamesa, Texas. Please contact Charlie Brown at charlie.m.brown@gmail.com to find out more detail about dates, supplies needed and to schedule teams.
Interested? Read more at www.ntcumc.org.
Give financially to disaster response using our online giving portal.
Or mail a check with "Disaster Response" in the memo line to:
Missouri Annual Conference
3601 Amron Court
Columbia, MO 65202
Scott Burdin
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
sburdin@moumethodist.org
(660) 676-3454