Welcome to Disaster Relief Training Review & Preview Situation Update on Relief Efforts Already happening About to happen How/Where you plug in

Registration as a DR Volunteer We need: Copy of Driver’s License or other official ID Copy of Health Insurance Card Emergency Contact (name, number, and relation) Home Address (not school) Health History? In some cases, FEMA and/or State Governments will compensate affected areas per volunteer per volunteer hour!!!

Overview SBDR 101 Survivor 101 Crisis 101

SBDR 101 SBDR stands for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief SBDR is a founding member of VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). We work with: FEMA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Convoy of Hope and more… Each of these groups are recognized by the U.S. Office of Homeland Security

SBDR Structure Where BCM fits (at the bottom)

PURPOSE FOR SERVICE Practical ministry in Jesus’ name Practical ministry in Jesus’ name Be a good example and testimony Be a good example and testimony Assist the homeowner and provide hope Assist the homeowner and provide hope Show respect for the person by valuing their property Show respect for the person by valuing their property

Survivor 101 Response Tools & Information Understand what happens inside a person when crisis occurs Think about how people respond to these events Resources for you to function well while assisting others in crisis

Crisis, Stress, & The Human Body Threat is perceived Brain releases appropriate chemicals Heart rate increases Respiration increases Pupils dilate Muscles tense Glucose is released to provide increased fuel for response Increase in response chemicals = reduced ability to think logically The balance provided by both sides of the brain working together is disrupted Necessary emotions may become exaggerated

Types of Survivors Direct:Lives in the disaster area and has suffered losses. Indirect:Lives on the fringe of the disaster area. Hidden:The disaster relief worker.

Phases of Emotions in a Disaster Relief Response Disaster survivors commonly go through 4 distinct emotional phases: Heroic ► Honeymoon ►Disillusionment►Reconstruction

Survivors Reactions at 3 Stages of Response: Emergency | Recovery | Long-term Rebuild Survivor Reactions During Emergency Relief will: depend on severity of their emergency & personal losses may tend to repress emotions work to the point of exhaustion and go without sleep, adequate food or medical treatment protect & salvage what is left and try to recover what has been lost feel a need for self-preservation in order to assist others tend to be friendly, talkative, and want to share their stories.

Survivors Reactions at 3 Stages of Response: Emergency | Recovery | Long-term Rebuild Survivor Reactions During Recovery: Relief workers are on the scene Survivors begin to slow down Emotions surface Decisions become difficult They expect more from the relief workers than may be possible They need someone to listen to their stories

Survivors Reactions at 3 Stages of Response: Emergency | Recovery | Long-term Rebuild Survivor Reactions During Long-term Rebuild: May begin 1 month to 6 months after the disaster strikes Many relief agencies have left the community Many people are not assisting with recovery Survivors tend to be frustrated They feel they should be back in their homes Their emotions range from frustration, to anger, to pessimism, to state of fault- finding, to depression They begin to think they are forgotten and that nobody cares

Emotional Phases During the Three Stages of Disaster Response

Psychology of Disaster Maximum stress suffered when crisis comes suddenly. An individual’s stress level can be affected by a prior involvement with a disaster. A disaster will absorb people’s attention but their responses will vary.

Dealing with the Emotions of Survivors “It’s ok for you to express your anger (or confusion, desperation, etc.). I will take it seriously.” Be attentive & accepting. Use calm tones and gentle movements Take a Relaxed attentive posture and give good eye contact. Choose a comfortable distance to the survivor. Show you care enough to allow the survivor to be expressive, even if it is unpleasant for you. Shows your acceptance of them as an individual of worth and potential.

Disaster-Related Stress Common Reactions of Survivors May Include: Concern for basic survival Grief over loss of loved ones and treasured possessions Anxiety over separation from family and friends Regressive behaviors Anxiety about relocation and isolation from home Need to express feelings about experiences during the disaster Need for a sense of community in the aftermath The desire to help others

Disaster-Related Stress Possible Emotional/psychological reactions to disaster of survivors and relief volunteers Numbness Excitability Sleep disorders; nightmares Headaches Impatience Guilt feelings Physical fatigue Emotional drain Phobias related to the event Difficulty concentrating Helplessness Anger Exhaustion Hyper-alertness Excessive sleep Disorientation Frustration Feelings of isolation Ambivalence Excessive preoccupation with injury or death Traumatic memories of the event Nervousness Hypersensitivity Separation anxiety; fear of relocation

Ways to Meet a Crisis Face the fact there is a problem. Consider positive ways of viewing the crisis situation. An unproductive way of dealing with crisis is to deny a problem exists.

Basic Listening Skills A crisis brings on new & increased tension. Tempers are short. People want immediate results and have difficulty waiting for appropriate action. You may be the one who catches their anger, urgency, or desperation. You may, also, become the one who can make a difference by working to share Christ and His love in a personal way. Being a good listener can provide opportunity to produce healing of spirit and soul, a first step in meeting the spiritual needs of the people affected.

STS (Short Truthful Statement) I’m here serving as part of a cooperative effort of Baptists who want to share the love of Jesus through helping hands. I’m here because I want to put love into action, giving back because I’ve been give so much. I’m here serving alongside Southern Baptists Disaster Relief ministry because I wanted to be able to help.

CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS Yellow BCMDR Hats Yellow BCMDR Hats Closed toed shoes Closed toed shoes Throw away clothes Throw away clothes Avoid “witness wear” Avoid “witness wear” Modesty… Modesty…

WATCH OUT! FOR HAZARDS Power lines Power lines Heavy equipment Heavy equipment Fires Fires Unstable structures Unstable structures Tree cutting operations Tree cutting operations Ladder safety Ladder safety Critters Critters

LIFTING SAFETY Stand close and lift with your legs Stand close and lift with your legs Ask for assistance Ask for assistance Back injuries can last a lifetime Back injuries can last a lifetime

HEALTH AND FIRST AID Drink plenty of liquids in warm weather Drink plenty of liquids in warm weather Use sunscreen where appropriate Use sunscreen where appropriate Take needed rest breaks Take needed rest breaks Know the signs of heat emergencies Know the signs of heat emergencies Know how to stop bleeding Know how to stop bleeding Call 911 Call 911

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS – TO OFFER HOPE