PREPARE, CONNECT,

RESPOND

DISASTER MINISTRY IN THE CONGREGATION

Power outage of Superstorm Sandy from Space

DISASTER RESPONSE

A disaster response has:

A beginning(first response)

A middle (Short and long term recovery)

And an end(An exit strategy or closure)

DISASTER PLANNING

PREPARATION FOR DISASTER

Assess

Plan

Organize

Educate

Drill

ASSESSWhat kinds of disasters are likely here?

• Tornadoes• Hurricanes• Flooding• Church fires• Create a list of all kinds possible in area?

Congregational Assessment –

• Do we have a plan?• Do our families have a plan - ARC

PLAN

What interest do we really have?

Set up a small task force or committee

What resources are available to us?

Funds, time and space

How do we become disaster ready?Assess risks, mitigate, develop a plan, test the

plan

6 Steps to PrepareCongregation Disaster Response Plan

1. Create a small task force or committee (5- 7 people)

2. Determine status of any Disaster plans

3. Create draft of Disaster Response Plan

4. Gain Session input and approval.

5. Share plan and educate Congregation

6. Review annually and update

6 Steps to Plan

1. Create a small task force or committee

(5- 7 people)

Passionate advocate, Communicator, Detail

follow-up

Gain consensus on process for creating plan

6 Steps to Plan

2. Determine status of any Disaster plans

Any prior plans for church

Any community plans to consider

Other nearby church plans

6 Steps to Plan

3. Create draft of Disaster Response Plan

Use Blank worksheet from Hands-On-Mission.org

website

Get feedback for Session and Deacons

6 Steps to Plan

4. Gain Session approval

Present draft for approval

Make final additions and corrections

Have final draft approved by end of March

6 Steps to Plan

5. Share plan and educate Congregation

Present at congregation meeting

Maintain in digital form

Send copy to Presbytery of Detroit

Share copy with local community disaster authorities

6 Steps to Plan

6.Review annually and update

Beginning of each year review plan to see if any new information should be included

Complete change process if any significant changes made

Share revised plan with Presbytery of Detroit

PLAN PREPARATION RESOURCES

Congregational Preparedness Questions

Prepared by Rev. John Robinson

Review Howell Convention and Nature Center Plan

See sample church plans online at

hands-on-mission.org/disaster

ORGANIZE

• Recruit people who will carry through on tasks

• Review roles and responsibilities

• Meet regularly with one another and with Emergency Response officials from the community

EDUCATE

Promote awareness of disaster risks in the congregation

• Church newsletters and website• Sunday bulletin & Minute for Mission• Sunday School Classes• Youth and children can help with promotion• Session

Provide families with ARC disaster preparedness information about preparing for disaster

CONNECTPresbytery of Detroit

• Complete Disaster Preparedness plan by March 31st

• Give digital copy to Hands-On-Mission Work Group

Local Emergency Preparedness organization

State - MIVOAD

Other churches in proximity Methodists – UMCOR Baptists – Southern Baptist Men Lutherans – LDR Salvation Army – SADS

Ministerial Associations

WHO TO CONTACTPresbytery of Detroit

• For questions on the process there are 8 PDA/Synod trained people in our Presbytery

• To contact them request through Mary Lloyd at hands-on-mission.org or call them personally

• PDA National Leadership Team members are Ben Pawley and Joan Ott (They are national trainers for disaster assistance)

• Pastors are Kelly Shriver and Evan McGowan• Tom Duffield, Julie Smith from Pontiac FPC• Tom Neal and Mary Lloyd from Hands-On Mission

Website: hands-on-mission.org