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EARLY RESPONSE
Early Response Teams (ERT) are specially trained teams that offer assistance soon after the disaster strikes. They generally do clean up work and tasks required to stop further damage from being done, e.g. putting tarps on damaged roofs. They might do minor repairs that help make homes habitable, but they do not do extensive repairs or reconstruction (that is the job for Long Term Recovery).
All members of an Early Response Team are required to complete the six to seven hour training course and must have a criminal background check. The training is done according to UMCOR guidelines and policies. Persons completing the training and passing the criminal background check will be issued a badge indicating they are approved by the Southwest Texas Conference and credentialed by UMCOR.
Credentials are valid for three years. Procedures for recertifying as an ERT member and receiving new credentials are provided at the bottom of this page. Persons who have not served on an Early Response Team responding to a disaster since their raining must retake the ERT training course in order to receive new credentials. A number of substantial changes have been made to the course in the past three years.
The purpose of this team training is to orient people to the special needs and situations that are
common after most natural disasters. In the first few days (and sometimes weeks) following a
major storm, only teams that are trained and self-contained are useful.
An Early Response Team is a special type of VIM Team
An Early Response Team has a very narrow function and has no management or administrative
responsibility for the overall disaster response. An “Early Response Team” should not be confused
with a Disaster Recovery Team. An Early Response Team is a specially trained and certified team
called to do early response. A Disaster Recovery Team is a type of UMVIM Team that comes to
assist in the long term recovery, AFTER early response is completed. Each Early Response Team
member must be trained and carry an identification badge rissued by UMCOR following successful completion
of Early Response Team Training.
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Dates and Locations of Scheduled Training Events
Early Response Training Courses
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About the Training
Registration
8:00 a.m.
Training
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The class will cover the purpose of an Early Response Team:
• To show that the church cares about what has happened to the people,
• To provide people an outlet for sharing their disaster related needs,
• To assist the most vulnerable populations with their immediate needs, and
• To provide assistance that will help to prevent further damage to homes and property.
The class will also cover team member responsibilities, how to equip a team, how to
prevent further damage (the four basic jobs), and more.
Training will be included for:
• Tarping
• Tools/Equipment Set-up
• Team member safety
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Cost: $30.00
This includes:
• Meal
• SWTX Conference Early Response Team (ERT) T-shirt
• Background check
• Identification Badge
• Training Resources Manual
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!
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Recertification of ERT Credentials
Southwest Texas Conference policy for recertification of Early Response credentials
All Early Response Team Members must be recertified every three years. The following policies are established by the Disaster Response Committee of the Southwest Texas conference. All ERT badges are issued by UMCOR and these policies fulfill UMCOR requirements.
- Individuals who have been certified but have not served on an Early Response Team responding to a disaster must complete the current ERT training course, pass the end of course test and complete a criminal background check. This option may also be taken by individuals who have served on a team responding to a disaster.
- Individuals who have been certified and who have served on at least one Early Response Team responding to a disaster are not required to complete the current ERT Training course. They must pass a special recertification test and complete a criminal background check.
Procedure for recertification when a course is not taken:
Persons requesting a recertification should register using the recertification registration form on the Disaster Response Homepage. Persons registering will receive a new Early Response Training Manual, a copy of the recertification test and Consent for Criminal Background History Check form. The test must be completed (it is an open book test) and returned, along with the permission to do a background check, to the address provided. The Conference will request a badge from UMCOR once the background check is complete and the test passed.
The cost of recertification is $25.
This includes:
• SWTX Conference Early Response Team (ERT) T-shirt
• Background check
• Identification Badge
• Training Resources Manual
CLICK HERE to register for recertification
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PRIMARY CONTACT
Eugene Hileman
Disaster Response Coordinator
Southwest Texas Conference
13506 Beltway
San Antonio, TX 78217
aehileman@umcswtx.org
210-557-8698
Austin District
Emmett Eary
P. O. Box 764
Phlugerville, TX 78691-0764
emmett.eary@sbcglobal.net
512-251-2145
Corpus Christi District
Rev. John Alsbrooks
P.O. Box 267
Refungio, TX 78377
revjohn@awesomenet.net
361-526-2440
Mickey Viar
52 Mocking bird Lane
Rockport, TX 78328
mviarwelder@gmail.com
cell 361-463-9245
hm. 512-410-4646
Kerrville District
George Barnette
george@bnpr.com
830-868-0808
Mc Allen District
Susan Hellums
shellums@mcfirst.com
956-648-8509
San Angelo District
Sherrie Walker
37 East Beauregard
San Angelo, TX 76903
sherrie@firstmethodist.net
325-655-8981
Rev. Cheri Brewster
37 East Beauregard
San Angelo, TX 76903
San Antonio District
Tom Warner
1818 Vinca Manor
San Antonio, TX 78260
twarner1@earthlink.net
830-980-1818
Victoria District
Ron Langford
719-661-1515
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