WHEN DISAsTER STRIKES

Step-by step instructions for responding to disasters and emergencies within the realm of the church.

This guide is also available at www.flcog.cc

2011 HURRICANE AND DISASTER

PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

Dear Pastor, Disasters can occur at anytime, anywhere and can affect anyone. They can come in the form of hurricanes, tornados, fires and even terrorist acts. The best defense against such disasters is preparation.

Here in Florida our greatest concern during the next 3 months will be hurricanes. Although we have had several years with little activity, we all remember the 2004 and 2005 seasons when as many as six hurricanes struck in virtually every area of the state affecting nearly 200 of our churches. The loss for many churches, families and communities was catastrophic. And, who could forget the devastation wrought by hurricane Andrew in 1992.

In Florida, it is not a matter of if, but when, disaster will strike. To help our churches be prepared for this eventuality and to respond after a disaster strikes, the Florida Church of God State Office has developed this manual of action. Also, to more efficiently carry out the mission of caring and benevolence during a disaster, we have included useful contact information and tools.

Please read through this document to become acquainted with its information, taking note of what to do in the event of a disaster. Keep this material handy, especially during the next few months. This should not be your only resource, as there are dozens of agencies that offer detailed and pertinent information on how to cope with disaster. Each local community has its own disaster response plan. Contact your local government agencies to get this information.

Our prayers are that disaster will not strike our churches. However, we must be diligent to prepare for the worst. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. J. David Stephens Florida Administrative Bishop

1. In the event of a disaster, the Regional Bishop will contact every pastor in his area to determine if everyone is okay. Who is hurt? Where is the damage? If, soon after a disaster, you have not heard from your Regional Bishop, CALL him with your report. If you are unable to communicate with your Regional Bishop, call the State Disaster Response Coordinator.

2. The Regional Bishop will forward his analysis of damage

and need to our State Disaster Response Coordinator. The Coordinator, along with the State Disaster Response Team, will work with the Regional Bishop to review damage, assess needs, and set a course of action (most urgent needs will be considered first).

3. Sites have been pre-determined to be possible staging

areas for disasters that strike in that area of the state. These sites will receive and distribute necessary food, water, supplies and equipment as it becomes available from various resources to distribution points located within the disaster area.

Florida Disaster Response

Coordinator

C. Waymon Miller

Florida Disaster Response Team

William Wooten Ron Stewart Dwight Allen Jerry Mace

Disaster Response Staging Sites

Pensacola Worship Center

Live Oak North Jacksonville

Ocala, Living Waters Lakeland Abundant Life Wimauma Campground

Melbourne, Discover Life Naples, Parkway

Cooper City

MISSION STATEMENT

To help churches respond to disaster and provide

relief to victims of emergencies

Church of God Florida State Offices

3736 Cragmont Drive Tampa, FL 33619

813.620.3366 www.flcog.cc

Florida’s Disaster Response Plan

Introduction

DISASTER RESPONSE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

I. Purpose Statement

II. Preparation for Disastrous Event

Survival during a disaster is paramount for the congregation. Our prayer is that pastors and local church congregations will not only survive but have a viable ministry following a disaster. Preparation includes developing ways to protect human life and property. To facilitate the survival of facilities, they must be protected against devastating winds, flooding, earthquakes and terrorist activities. Pastors, staff members and church leaders of necessity must be trained to function effectively during and following disasters. Local churches are encouraged to be in contact with those agencies within the Church of God that have resources to assist in time of disaster (Chaplains Commission, Operation Compassion, etc.). Church families, again out of necessity, must be prepared to survive disasters by protecting

themselves, family members and personal property. Disaster Response manuals developed for church leadership and families will include guidelines, procedures, check lists and other essential information. The elderly, handicapped and children must also be given special attention in times of disaster. The local church witness must continue. As church families and facilities survive disastrous events, care ministries will be launched to the hurting in the local community. Food, fresh water and other supplies/materials/equipment should be stored for use during disasters and distribution following the disaster. Some churches may become shelters for families who have lost their homes and/or disaster care centers for those needing food, clothing or medical attention. Churches may become distribution centers for needed recovery supplies and materials. Pastors and other church leaders may be trained in all areas of disaster response, critical incident stress management and crisis counseling. Disasters are dark days for churches, communities and even entire states, but these are also days when the Church of God can shine in the darkness with the love of Jesus through Christian care ministries. This document is provided to assist and guide the pastor and local church leadership through the process of developing a disaster response plan for the church. Local situations will differ and will thus require specifics for each situation. A local disaster response plan will help ensure the survivability of local church facilities and families, and provide the necessary guide-lines to help local church leadership develop caring ministries during times of disaster. State and church agencies, as well as national and local community disaster response planning agencies stand ready to work alongside and consult with local church pastors and congregations in this effort.

Disasters are an ominous reality in our world. The Lord Himself declared that disasters (i.e. earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, plagues, food crises, hurricanes, tidal waves, etc. (Matthew 24:7) would increase in the last days. The Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:8 declared, “Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” In view of this Biblical warning of these natural and man-made catastrophes in the last days, we must prepare for any disaster that may come our way. Our vision in the preparation of this document is to provide the pastor and local church the necessary guidelines to develop a creative and functional plan to execute in times of disaster. Our mission is to assist, train and consult with pastors and congregations to prepare for whatever the future may hold. Our purpose is to ensure that every Church of God pastor and church family is ready to protect life and property in the event of a disaster and provide a caring ministry to the hurting following disaster. Preparation is a Biblical mandate. Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27 spoke of the one who built his house on a rock as being a “wise planner”. Also, God commanded Ezekiel in Ezekiel 38:7 with these words, “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.” It is important to take seriously God’s call for Christians to be on guard. Godly wisdom calls for pastors and churches to prepare in the event of a disaster to survive and have an intentional care ministry for those who suffer in the local community.

DISASTER RESPONSE AN

III. Advanced Planning for a Disaster

Effective planning is essential to surviving a disaster. Effective in the sense that the pastor and local church leadership have accu-rate and up-to-date information on disaster planning. This section will provide a step-by-step planning process and guidance to facilitate getting ready for disasters.

Step 1: Laying the Groundwork

This step is very important since everything else rests on how well the church is prepared to launch into this planning process. Here, the pastor and local church leadership prepare the congregation to mobilize and unite their efforts to design a disaster response strategy. It is important that the church Council and church families be informed of what is about to take place.

This step will include calling a local church conference to present the church leadership’s intention. This will launch a course of action to design a disaster response plan and manual that will be put into the hands of local church leadership and church families. The pastor and his staff may want to plan a series of sermons and/or schedule classes of instruction on topics related to planning, crisis and disasters. Pastors may want to invite guest speakers from the Chaplains Commission, Operation Compassion, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and agencies from the local community that work with disaster response planning and crisis.

Step 2: Assess Available Resources

The first place to look for available human resources is within the local church congregation. The pastor will need his staff and local church leadership to form a Disaster Response Planning Team/Committee. You will need to search for other persons throughout the congregation who have special leadership gifts, talents and job-related skills that will be helpful. Their may be persons in the congregation who serve as chaplains, counselors or in the medical fields who have disaster training, crisis management, crisis counseling and other specialized abilities that might be helpful.

As you review your resources, do not forget to review all church insurance policies to assess adequate coverage. Insurance coverage may be inadequate or non-existent in certain areas. Be sure all church properties, stained glass, equipment, vehicles, etc. are covered. The pastor should be sure to include the parsonage or review the policies on a personal home. Check coverage amounts for property, personal injury, liability, deductibles and exclusions from coverage. If you have an insurance expert, get this person to lead this effort to ensure your present insurance coverage is what you and the church desire. Another way to assess deductibles is by calculating the amount the church will have to pay for certain losses and total loss. From past experience with hurricane damage in the state of Florida, this could prove to be very expensive for a local church congregation.

Even with adequate insurance, the local church will need to make sure that all church facilities, equipment and vehicles are protected. All windows and other vulnerable areas must be covered or otherwise protected. The roof, steeple and other facilities should be protected from wind, rain, and other potential damage. All heating, air conditioning and other outside units should be protected.

DISASTER RESPONSE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

ND THE LOCAL CHURCH

In step two, it is also necessary to assess the local facilities’ usability following a disaster. Ask, “How can we use our facilities, equipment and vehicles following a disaster?” Some church facilities, may be usable as shelters for persons who have lost their homes. If you desire to go this route, be sure to determine whether your toilets, showers, and other facilities will be capable of serving a large number of people. It is also important to be able to feed, bed and possibly clothe some of the people arriving at your shelter. Be sure you have the equipment and supplies on hand. Now is a good time to consider purchasing backup electric generator(s) and other equipment and supplies.

Some churches may want to use their church facilities as a crisis distribution center. Medical facilities may be damaged or destroyed and the community may desire to use your facilities as a hospital, clinic, or Red Cross Center. You may want to set up a crisis counseling center or critical incident stress management area in the church. With an influx of work crews into the area, the facility may be needed as a work crew sleeping area. Facilities or parking areas may be used to store goods, supplies and materials. You could also use church facilities as a food distribution center or feeding area. You may want to use church facilities as a supply distribution center for clothing, flashlights, batteries, generators, fresh water, disposable supplies and much more. Disasters may bring numerous possibilities for aid and caring ministries. The main issue is to be ready to serve your community in time of disaster.

In step two, you will want to look at the disaster agencies available in the local community. Connect with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Red Cross, Salvation Army, local disaster planning team, disaster response team, critical incident response team and other agencies that work with disaster or terrorism. Be sure to make use of any training and guidance these agencies have available to assist with developing the church disaster response plan and care ministry. Also, determine what equipment, supplies and other resources will be made available through them in times of disaster (i.e. electric generators, fresh water, water vacuums, volunteers, speakers, tarps, flashlights, food, money and other resources).

Step 3: Church Leadership Development

After assessing available resources, begin to develop a strategic plan to train local church staff, leadership and laity who will serve during a disaster. Call strategic planning meeting(s) as needed to unite church leadership around this project and develop your disaster response plan. Name a Disaster Response Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator to lead this effort during a disaster. Also, name a Disaster Care Ministry Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator to focus on ministry during and following disaster. (Develop job/ministry descriptions that lay out clearly what each person/position will be required to do in a disaster.)

Develop a flow chart and clear lines of communication and accountability. Develop a plan for creating identification cards and clothing (hats, shirts, etc.) to effectively identify members of your church as members of the Disaster/Crisis Response Team. Identification cards and garments should be coordinated with local FEMA, DHS, Red Cross, Salvation Army and other disaster/crisis agencies to insure correct identification procedures and formatting. Then, Job/Ministry descriptions should reflect specifically to whom a person is accountable, qualifications for jobs, skills required, duties to be accomplished, and training expected of persons to do a particular disaster response job. (Develop a glossary of frequently used terms and acronyms used by the disaster/crisis response agencies.)

Carefully select the agencies needed to train those serving on the Disaster Response Team and Care Ministry Team. These two teams have very different, yet overlapping functions and missions. The Chaplains Commission trains pastors as community service chaplains (volunteers) for the Church of God. The Commission teaches the Basic Community Service Chaplaincy (CSC) training seminar and advanced (CSC) training seminars on specialized subjects. The basic seminar includes training in crisis response, critical incident stress management, crisis counseling and much more. These Chaplains Training Seminars are conducted here in Florida each February on our Camp-ground in Wimauma. FEMA and DHS also train and have a wealth of information on planning for disasters (see Resources). Other agencies that provide disaster and crisis training include Red Cross, local agencies and many others, most of which are listed on the Web.

DISASTER RESPONSE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH III. Advanced Planning for a Disaster, Continued

Step 4: Resource Checklist

Checklists are essential for every person in leadership and those serving in functional positions on the Disaster/Crisis Response Team or the Disaster/Crisis Care Ministry Team.

1. Communication is absolutely essential for an efficient and effective disaster response and care strategy. The local church may want to purchase alternative communication devices especially for crisis situations (i.e., walkie-talkies, weather or other special emergency communication devices). It is important to know the lines of communication with emergency service agencies and church disaster/crisis leadership.

An up-to-date church directory is essential for effective communication with the church family. The church directory should include all pertinent contact information such as phone numbers, cellular phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses and any other special means of communication. This contact information should include church staff, leadership, church membership and friends.

Acquire a community Disaster/Crisis Directory for all church disaster/crisis leadership. You may have to obtain this information directly from the agency (i.e. FEMA DHS, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Disaster/Crisis Response Team, Critical Incident Response Team, Police, Fire medical Emergency and any other agency partnering in disaster/crisis response). It would be a good idea for pastors and other church leadership to connect with these agencies before a disaster occurs. You may also consider being trained and endorsed by the Chaplains Commission to become a Community Service Chaplain. This training is available on our camp-ground each February.

2. Again, as started in step (2), it is very important to evaluate all church facilities as part of preparation and planning for disasters and crisis. All church structures, including the parsonage or other church owned structures at different locations, should be assessed as to their vulnerability to disasters. Church staff members and church families would do well to conduct this same assessment. Local disaster agencies and structural specialists can assist you with this evaluation.

This thorough evaluation of church structures should include an evaluation as to the church facility becoming a Disaster Supply/Distribution Center. It bears mentioning again, you should identify storage areas in church facilities for disaster goods and supplies (i.e. food, fresh water, tarps, flashlights, cots, clothing, blankets, over-the-counter drugs, and other disaster/crisis needs).

The church will also want to assess the possibility of becoming a Disaster Care Center. Again, storage areas are necessary for goods and supplies to be dispensed during and after a disaster.

During a crisis or disaster situation, it is important to have on hand essential community disaster/crisis documents. These documents might include Disaster Response Plan(s), Critical Incident Response Plan(s), Evacuation Plans/Routes, map grids, FEMA Disaster Response Plans, Disaster Shelter locations, and any other documents you may need during an emergency.

Identify persons in the congregation with gifts, talents, skills and job-related expertise that might be useful during an emergency. This list might include medical personnel, counselors, builders, electricians, plumbers, hotel managers, structural experts, police, firefighters, and many others. Also identify those persons who are willing to use their sport utility vehicle, recreation vehicles, all terrain vehicles or other special type of equipment during an emergency. Be sure to set up a childcare system to provide care while family members are working.

Make certain you understand the Florida Disaster Response Plan and how to communicate with the Regional Bishop and the State Office. Complete the back page of this document with all emergency contact information. Emergency documents to keep on hand might include a copy of the State Disaster Response Plan, Disaster Care Ministry Plan, Goods/Supplies/Material Distribution Plan, emergency financial resources (i.e., grants, low interest loans, etc), insurance information, equipment resources (i.e., truck, other heavy equipment, temporary living facilities, generators, etc.)

IV. The Severity of the Disaster

V. Post Disaster Recovery and Ministry

1. Categories of Disaster

It is very necessary that the church congregation understand the type/category of disaster they are experiencing. The Weather Service and other agencies will have this information available.

2. Crisis Intervention Response

The plan is activated. The congregation is contacted (according to the Disaster Response Plan). Radio, television and other sources of information are monitored. Special assistance is provided to the elderly, handicapped, families with children and other special needs families. The emergency childcare center is activated. Emergency response vehicles in the congregation are activated. Everyone is encouraged to protect family members and property until the emergency is over.

1. Assess Damage to Human Life and Facilities

Provide or acquire emergency medical care as needed. Secure all church facilities. Communicate with church congregation assessing needs and concerns. Contact your Regional Bishop and/or the State Disaster Response Coordinator. Also, contact your insurance agent with findings.

2. Set Up Crisis Response Care Center

Ministry begins after congregational needs are taken care of as much as possible. Establish a Command Center where the pastor and Disaster Response/Care Coordinators will coordinate the disaster response activities for the church and local community. Set up a bulletin for announcements and messages to those working the disaster. Again, put your plan into action. Activate your disaster shelter to begin receiving people form the local area. For more information on how to use your local church as an emergency shelter, including step-by-step guidelines, go to www.morrowinsurance.net. Click the church link and you will find the former Risk Management and Procedures manual which has been updated and contains this valuable information.

Activate your disaster distribution center to provide needed resources to the community. Set up safe areas that are free as much as possible from any chemical, radiation or germ contamination. This is done in conjunction with government agencies that deal with these concerns. Activate your disaster financial aid station for those providing this service. Activate your disaster medical care station/clinic to care for those needing fresh water and food. Activate your counseling center to assist those persons suffering trauma. You will recognize that your church will not be able to provide all of these disaster ministries and services. Select those care ministries that your congregation has prayed about and feel they are adequately able to provide to the community.

3. Critical Incident Stress Management

This is an area of disaster response that must be provided by those who have been trained in Critical Incident Stress management. This service will include medical, emergency service and chaplain personnel who have been trained to provide critical stress debriefing, defusing and demobilizations to first responders who have been traumatized by a mass casualty event. This ministry will also be provided to those who have gone through horrific natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, tidal waves, tornadoes, floods, etc.) Provide closure to the event through celebrations, testimonies, messages of hope and praise to God.

Upon completion of the planning process, publish the Church Disaster Response and Care Ministry Plan and make copies available to the church leadership and congregation. You might want to have other community disaster experts and even a lawyer review your plan to ensure it is legally realistic and workable with other disaster planning agencies.

What To Do If A Loss Occurs

Church Pre-Hurricane Checklist

4. Normalize the Situation Providing Help and Hope Share help and hope in Jesus’ name through all personal conversations with disaster victims. Pastors provide help and hope through sermons and Bible classes. Share about the usual effects of disasters on individuals and how to mediate the impact. Give special attention to the elderly, handicapped, children and any other special needs group. The goal is to assist and support people as they get their lives back together and to help them experience normalcy again.

Maintain emergency supplies (Drinking water, non-perishable items, medical supplies, flashlights, batteries, emergency lighting, lumber, plywood, nails, hand and power tools, generator, wet-vac, plastic covers, tarpaulins, etc. Inspect and repair roof flashing, coverings, drains, gutters and edge strips. Remove debris and unrestrained materials from roofs. Inspect and maintain sign(s), stack and tower supports, guy wires and anchor points. Repair or replace loose or worn door and window latches, hardware and seals. Provide pre-fitted hurricane shutters and/or plywood for windows and doorways where practical. If possible, install them in advance and leave in place for hurricane season. Prepare for hurricane-related flooding with sandbags and an ample supply of brooms, mops, squeegees, and absorbents to help remove water. Trim or remove any large trees that could fall and damage buildings or impair fire protection, or electrical power and communication lines. Keep a copy (video or digital photos) and itemized inventory of church contents stored off-site to assist in itemizing losses if needed for insurance claim adjustor. If storm is anticipated, unplug equipment and move off floor where possible.

DISASTER RESPONSE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

On the website www.morrowinsurance.net (click Church link) you will find the former Florida Church of God Church, Youth and Children’s Ministries Risk Management Policies and Procedures Manual. Wilma Miller has updated this manual and posted it on the website of the agency with which she is now affiliated. This is available to all our churches as a guide to aid in the prevention of losses. It is in a PDF format and may be copied in its entirety or by page. Please note this manual is for information and general education only; limited in scope, it should not be considered legal guidance. Please consult with legal counsel before using this material for specific action or adopting specific guidelines or suggestions as policy.

Is Your Church Prepared For The Storm Season?

Share Your Resource Information

Should a loss occur, insurance policies require that each church make prompt reporting of the loss to their Insurance Company in order that the Insurance Company Adjusters can properly investigate the claim in a timely manner, and hopefully mitigate the loss. Please check your insurance policy and know the appropriate phone numbers for the type of claim you need to report. Your insurance agent can assist you with this information. Additional general information concerning claims to remember is: 1. For property claims, take photographs from various angles of the damaged property

2. Protect the property from further damage

Call proper authorities and utilities (for gas, electric, etc.) Have emergency repairs completed (board up windows, cover roof holes, protect from further weather

damage)

3. Separate damaged items from undamaged items. Do not discard damaged items until an adjuster has seen them.

4. Make an inventory of damaged items. Get as much detail as possible (model number, serial number, complete description, photos).

5. If you are forced out of your parsonage or church, start to keep a complete record of all expenses. Steps Company Adjusters Will Take: 1. The adjuster will be helpful and happy to assist you, however, you are entitled to select your contractor(s).

2. The adjuster will be using their own resources for damage estimates.

3. When the adjuster has completed estimates, they will discuss them with you.

4. If you both agree, then settlement is completed.

5. If you disagree, call your agent for assistance. They will try to act as first level mediator.

The Florida Disaster Response Team needs your help identifying qualified volunteers. Areas of assistance that may be needed are listed below. Please share the names, vocation and contact information via e-mail with our State Disaster Response Coordinator at Waymon@flcog.cc. Here is a list of the help we may need: medical personnel, counselors, certified chaplains, building and construction contractors and tradesmen, electricians, plumbers, truck drivers, hotel managers, structural experts, police, firefighters and cooks, etc. Also, if you have stored Disaster Response Resources that you would like to make available during a crisis, please share this information. Such items would include: food, bottled water, baby supplies, personal toiletries, insect repellant, sun screen, generators, building materials, equipment, tarps, tools, first aid kits, etc. One church collected a stock pile of these items by parking a truck with their church sign in the parking lot of a Home Depot. With permission from the Home Depot manager, they distributed large Ziploc bags with a list inside each bag of items needed for Disaster Response. They were distributed at the door of the Home Depot by greeters asking that people make a donation to Disaster Response by filling the Ziploc bag with the suggested items. The pastor said the response was tremendous. For more information on this great idea, contact Waymon@flcog.cc. Thank you for sharing this information. We look forward to your response.

CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES FOR DISASTER RELIEF

FLORIDA DISASTER RESPONSE C. WAYMON MILLER, COORDINATOR 3736 Cragmont Drive Tampa, FL 33619 Direct Line (813) 739-5605 Cell (813) 245-9504 E-Mail Waymon@flcog.cc FLORIDA DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM William Wooten Ron Stewart Dwight Allen Jerry Mace DISASTER RESPONSE STAGING SITES Pensacola Worship Center Live Oak North Jacksonville Ocala, Living Waters Lakeland Abundant Life Wimauma Campground Melbourne, Discover Life Naples, Parkway Cooper City OPERATION COMPASSION Operation Compassion can provide food, water, ice, and other necessities during time of disaster relief. 114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370 Cleveland, TN 37312 Office (423) 728-3932 Fax (423) 728-3958 www.operationcompassion.org

MEN AND WOMEN OF ACTION Hands-on ministry through volunteer service in construc-tion, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. PO Box 2430 Cleveland, TN 37320-3330 Office (432) 478-7955 Fax (423) 478-7408 www.cogmwoa.org COMMUNICATIONS Communications will write press releases and news articles to assist the Disaster Response Director in responding to national, state and local press agencies. PO Box 2430 Cleveland, TN 37320-2430 Office (423) 478-7112 Fax (423) 478-7066 info@churchofgod.cc CHAPLAINS COMMISSION The Church of God Chaplains Commission serves as a resource for deploying trained certified counselors and chaplains to a disaster area. 900 Walker Street NE Cleveland, TN 37320-3330 Office (423) 478-7706 (423) 478-7954 www.cogchaplains.org THIS GUIDE ALSO AVAILABLE AT: www.flcog.cc

Departments, ministries and agencies that provide aid and relief, as well as benevolent services, have long been in place in the Church of God. The following list contains those areas of ministry that could be called upon or consulted with at all levels of need. It is also advisable to contact these ministries in advance of a relief situation to become fully acquainted with their resources and personnel.

DISASTER RESPONSE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

GOVERNMENT DISASTER RESPONSE / RESOURCE INFORMATION & AGENCIES

The United States Government has a wealth of information and resources available regarding disaster response. Many of those resources are available free of charge or for a small fee by contacting the particular agency. Some are also available for download off of Web sites. A particular useful and thorough manual is available from FEMA and entitled, Are You Ready? It is available by visiting www.fema.gov.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

The National Strategy for Homeland Security and Homeland Security Act of 2002 served to mobilize and organize our nation to secure the homeland from terrorist attacks. Under this governmental agency are such disaster-related offices as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. FEMA has more than 2,600 full time employees. They work at FEMA headquarters in Washington D.C., at regional and area offices across the country, the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, and the national Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. FEMA also has nearly 4,000 standby disaster assistance employees who are available for deployment after disasters. Often FEMA works in part-nership with other organizations that are part of the nation’s emergency management system. FEMA: 500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472 1-800-621-FEMA www.fema.gov.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (EMI) The EMI serves as the national focal point for the development and delivery of emergency management training to enhance the capabilities of federal, state, local, government officials, volunteer organizations, and the public and private sectors to minimize the impact of disasters on the American public. Emergency Management Institute: 16825 S. Seton Ave. Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Voice: (301) 447-1000 Fax: (301) 447-1346 www.training.fema.gov.emiweb

UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA) The U.S. Fire Administration offers training and educational opportunities for the Fire Service, allied organizations and individuals working together in disasters and emergencies. Available on the web site are fire statistics, publications, public fire education campaign materials and information on fire servicing funding opportunities. United States Fire Administration: 16825 S. Seton Ave. Emmitsburg, MD 21727 (301) 447-1000

Use this page to list important contacts and phone numbers before a disaster strikes. Examples of crucial resources and personnel are your local police, fire, ambulance and hospitals, church personnel, local Red Cross chapter, blood donations centers, insurance companies and utilities.

DISASTER RESPONSE AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

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Local Church Strategy

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