MISSIONS ENGAGEMENT
Disaster Response
Providing recovery resources and prepared response after a disaster strikes.
CBFSC Disaster Response Team
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina encourages disaster readiness. Advance preparation by your congregation is a unique ministry opportunity in disaster response.
Preparing flood buckets is an opportunity for an ongoing, multi-generational mission project within your church. Anyone and everyone can participate together in this ministry. Click here to download the list of items and instructions for assembling these buckets. Your church is encouraged to safely store these buckets in a secure room until they are needed. However, if short or long term storage is not an option, please contact the CBFSC office to make arrangements.
CBFSC partners with CBF Global, other state/regional organizations, and also with local, state, and national agencies to offer help in response and recovery once a disaster has occurred. In the event of any disaster, churches and individuals are encouraged to pray – pray for the victims, the survivors, and the responders.
We encourage everyone to respond to any disaster in a way that is appropriate to the situation, considering the needs of the survivors and responders first and foremost. CBFSC stands ready to respond, as soon as reasonably possible and in every appropriate manner, but only in coordination with our local partners closest to the disaster at hand. Please consider keeping us that prepared by contributing to CBFSC’s Disaster Response Fund.
Click here to visit the SC Emergency Management Division web site. The SCEMD provides South Carolinians with the most up to date information on emergency planning, closures, utility updates, weather tracking, shelter options, and many other resources.
If you have any questions regarding disaster preparedness, how your church can receive DR Readiness Training, or CBF’s disaster work, please contact Tom Sisson, CBF South Carolina’s Emergency Management Coordinator.Donate to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina for Disaster Response efforts.
Resources are available through the S.C. Emergency Management Division. They offer preparedness and recovery information, printed materials, links to weather and emergency alerts, and training regarding disasters in South Carolina. Click to view the current South Carolina Hurricane Guide, or the South Carolina Earthquake Guide.
For up-to-date information about Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s disaster response involvement around the United States, visit CBF’s disaster response blog.
Tips for Disaster Response Teams
Many churches are working to identify and organize volunteers and hands-on disaster recovery projects in the wake of recent hurricanes. Below are some tips to guide that preparation, courtesy of Bob Barker, CBF Heartland’s Disaster Response Coordinator.
1. Skills Inventory
In order to advise coordinators in the disaster site about your team’s abilities, it is good to assess each member’s skills. Such knowledge allows their staff to efficiently plan projects for your team. They may provide a survey form or you can devise your own. The levels range from unskilled to professional. Areas of labor would be framing, drywall, painting, landscaping, etc. Please remember as team members are enlisted: THERE ARE NO UNIMPORTANT JOBS!
2. Waiver Forms
Your organization will probably want its own volunteer release and waiver of liability form to protect its interests. On site groups may have their own waiver they will want completed as well. Consideration may be given as to whether a background check is needed, depending on the location and type of work being done. At some point, emergency medical treatment should be addressed. Contact information back home is vital.
3. Health Issues
Individual health insurance coverage is encouraged. Proof of such can vary from a team member’s statement or a copy of their insurance card. A group policy can often be purchased that is specifically for a given time and include travel. A questionnaire will help identify health concerns, dietary matters, etc. It is highly encouraged that team members be current on vaccinations, especially tetanus.
Team leaders can find suggestions on the internet regarding areas to cover in team preparation. Certainly two major concerns are heat exhaustion and dehydration. OSHA has good information to research online.
4. Safety Policies
Again, OSHA has good suggestions for several areas to cover with your team. For example, no loose clothing or open-toed shoes. Discussion is given to use of power tools, ladders, safety glasses and more.
5. Tools and Equipment
Some team members will want to carry their own tools. That may or may not be necessary; on site leaders can best advise about this matter. Consideration may be given to purchasing tools and donating them to local groups for future use. Some teams will have their own tool trailer. Care should be taken that team members are informed or trained to use tools with which they are not familiar.
6. Local Requirements
Permits may be required to enter property in order to accomplish a given task. Some organizations may ask for sign-in/sign-out sheets. A record of volunteer hours may help them receive reimbursement for your team’s work. At least it helps record the total hours given to the recovery effort.
7. Teambuilding
Starting the day with a team prayer is encouraged. Ending the day with a time to report and process impressions is also important. Team members can help local residents by listening with empathy and attempting to understand their dilemma. It is good to avoid clichés and “quick fixes.” Simply listening can be meaningful. When appropriate, prayer with the victims can be offered. Not everyone may be comfortable with prayer requests.
One key word for team members is “flexibility.” Housing, sleeping arrangements, meals, work assignments, travel modes, and more issues can be “testy.” It is important to practice “servant-hearted” ministry. We do not control the circumstances around us, but we do control our attitude. Reflecting Jesus is undoubtedly the ideal we strive to accomplish.
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