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

ASSESS What 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 Prepare Congregation 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

CONNECT Presbytery of Detroit Complete Disaster Preparedness plan by March 31 st 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 CONTACT Presbytery 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