Disasters: Prepare and Respond, Part 1 3
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DisastersDisasters Prepare and Respond A resource manual developed by Province IV of the Episcopal Church Published Lent 2009 I am deeply gratifi ed by the excellent work that has gone into this manual. In light of the natural‘‘ disasters that many have faced in recent years, it is crucial that we all become better prepared to offer pastoral ‘‘and emotional support to one another. This manual, the result of considerable shared research and practical experience, is not only a helpful tool for Province IV dioceses and congregations, but a model for all the church. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church March 2009 DisastersDisasters Prepare and Respond Part 1 Introduction Emergency NOW! Call your priest: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Priest _____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: Home (H), Work (W) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Cell (C), Other (O) Call the diocese: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Diocesan disaster response team coordinator _____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: Home (H), Work (W) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Cell (C), Other (O) Other diocesan response team members and their roles: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Name / Telephone _____________________________________________________________________________________ Name / Telephone _____________________________________________________________________________________ Name / Telephone _____________________________________________________________________________________ Name / Telephone _____________________________________________________________________________________ Name / Telephone Call local emergency personnel: 911: for police, fi re or ambulance _____________________________________________________________________________________ County or other local emergency number Disaster Preparedness and Response in Province IV of the Episcopal Church Published Lent 2009 Parishes and dioceses of the Episcopal Church may adapt this manual as needed for their own use, with credit to Province IV. If photos are retained, please also retain credits in Part 5, pages 7-8. Find the latest revision on the World Wide Web at www.provinceiv.org Sharon L. Rasmussen, editor and designer Province IV administrator: H. Eugene (Gene) Willard P.O. Box 2878 Morganton NC 28680-2878 828-432-5665 Disasters: Prepare and Respond, Part 1 3 Table of Contents PART 1: Introduction PART 3: Individual and family preparedness Emergency NOW! .....................................................................3 Five ways to prepare .............................................................. 3 Table of contents .....................................................................5 “Ready-to-go” kits ................................................................... 4 Dear friends .............................................................................7 When evacuation becomes necessary ................................. 5 What is a disaster? ..................................................................9 Emergencies in high-rise buildings ............................ 6 Rescue .................................................................................9 Taking care of animals .............................................................6 Relief ....................................................................................9 Family pets ........................................................................ 6 Recovery .............................................................................9 Large animals ................................................................... 7 The church’s role during a disaster ..................................... 11 Wildlife ............................................................................... 7 Episcopal Relief and Development .................................11 Food, water and fi rst aid ........................................................ 8 Help from the province ....................................................11 Personal safety ................................................................. 8 Help from the diocese ..................................................... 11 Food safety ........................................................................ 8 Response chaplains ...................................................12 Water safety ...................................................................... 9 Respite clergy .............................................................14 Basic fi rst aid ................................................................. 10 For diocesan offi ces .........................................................15 Disaster-related stress ........................................................ 11 Purposes to be achieved ............................................15 Recognize the signs ....................................................... 12 Risk assessment ........................................................15 Ways to ease the pain ................................................... 12 Planning considerations, best practices ..................16 Help children cope ......................................................... 13 For parishes .....................................................................16 Safely cleaning up after a disaster .................................... 15 Clergy, lay leadership will respond as they ... .......... 17 Electrical safety .............................................................. 15 For parishioners ...............................................................17 Generator safety ............................................................ 15 Individuals may be called upon to ... ........................17 Sewage contamination .................................................. 16 Chain saw safety ............................................................ 16 Ladder safety ................................................................. 17 PART 2: Developing a parish response plan Roof safety ..................................................................... 17 Stocking a tool trailer .......................................................... 17 Assembling the team ..............................................................3 Volunteering for relief efforts ............................................. 19 Designating a “crisis control center” .....................................7 Useful forms ................................................................... 19 Conducting a risk survey .........................................................9 Securing the church facility ................................................. 11 Planning for crisis communications .................................... 13 Before talking with the media ........................................ 13 While talking with the media ......................................... 13 After talking with the media .......................................... 14 Responding in faith .............................................................. 15 Collect ............................................................................. 15 Proper prefaces .............................................................. 15 Suggested readings ....................................................... 16 “Church-in-a-box” ............................................................16 Extending a helping hand ................................................... 17 Hosting evacuees .......................................................... 18 Re-evaluating and updating the plan ................................. 21 Mitigation ....................................................................... 21 Distribution ..................................................................... 21 Disasters: Prepare and Respond, Part 1 5 PART 4: What to do when disaster strikes Winter weather .........................................................................3 Fire ......................................................................................... 17 When a winter storm threatens ....................................... 3 To protect a residence from fi re .................................... 17 Terms used by weather forecasters ................................. 3 Plan escape routes ........................................................ 18 Heat source ........................................................................ 3 During a fi re .................................................................... 18 Watch for signs of hypothermia ....................................... 4 After a fi re ....................................................................... 18 Winter driving .................................................................... 4 Pandemic ............................................................................... 19 If the vehicle becomes trapped .................................. 4 Household preparedness .............................................. 19 Extreme heat ............................................................................5 Personal protections ...................................................... 19 Heat-induced illness