Faith Based Warming & Cooling Centers What is the benefit? Why should it be coordinated with EM? Springfield Office of Emergency Preparedness March 2014 Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Relationships Established relationships Established relationships Trust Trust Reliability Reliability Low turnover Low turnover Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Strengths Location in the disaster affected community Location in the disaster affected community Immediate access to buildings, which can be used as emergency space. Immediate access to buildings, which can be used as emergency space. Members whom they can call upon to serve as volunteers. Members whom they can call upon to serve as volunteers. Familiarity with local geography, demographics. Familiarity with local geography, demographics. Takes pressure off of City shelters & hospitals Takes pressure off of City shelters & hospitals Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Strengths Established relationships with community leaders. Established relationships with community leaders. Ability to help identify and contact populations with special needs, including the elderly and disabled. Ability to help identify and contact populations with special needs, including the elderly and disabled. Reflection of the cultural diversity of their communities Reflection of the cultural diversity of their communities Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Strengths Connections to other faith based groups in the community through pre-existing alliances, such as inter faith groups or ministerial associations. Connections to other faith based groups in the community through pre-existing alliances, such as inter faith groups or ministerial associations. Role as a trusted, traditional source of refuge for those in need or in trouble. Role as a trusted, traditional source of refuge for those in need or in trouble. Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Benefits Educate members of the congregation and the community about the dangers of likely disaster events and how to prepare for them. Educate members of the congregation and the community about the dangers of likely disaster events and how to prepare for them. Look after members of their congregations, particularly those with special needs, during the emergency. Look after members of their congregations, particularly those with special needs, during the emergency. Offer advocacy on behalf of those most in need. Offer advocacy on behalf of those most in need. Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Responsibilities Work in partnership with governmental and other charitable relief organizations, cooperate and support disaster recovery operations. Work in partnership with governmental and other charitable relief organizations, cooperate and support disaster recovery operations. Determine unmet needs of people who are especially vulnerable and marginalized by the disaster. Determine unmet needs of people who are especially vulnerable and marginalized by the disaster. Provide pastoral or spiritual services. Provide pastoral or spiritual services. Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Responsibilities Provide a larger vision of life that includes: Provide a larger vision of life that includes: Emotional careEmotional care Spiritual careSpiritual care Physical support.Physical support. Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Bottom Line Location, Location, Location Location, Location, Location There is a strong spiritual foundation underlying the participation of faith-based organizations in emergency work. There is a strong spiritual foundation underlying the participation of faith-based organizations in emergency work. Faith-based organizations seek to meet the material, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of disaster victims. Faith-based organizations seek to meet the material, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of disaster victims. Faith-based organizations have distinct advantages in ministering to the needs of disaster victims and responsibilities in helping their congregation and community prepare for and recover from a disaster. Faith-based organizations have distinct advantages in ministering to the needs of disaster victims and responsibilities in helping their congregation and community prepare for and recover from a disaster. Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014

Contact Bob Hassett, MPH Office of Emergency Preparedness 1212 Carew Street Springfield, MA (413) Springfield Emergency Preparedness 2014