|
|
|
Glossary
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator (CDRC)
The individual appointed by the Bishop to give overall leadership to the Conference disaster
response effort and to serve as chair of the Conference Disaster Response Committee.
District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC)
The individual or individuals appointed by the District Superintendent to give overall leadership to
the District disaster response effort and to serve on the Conference Disaster Response Committee.
Early Response Team
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).
Spiritual and Emotional Care Team (Care Team)
SWTX Conference United Methodist disaster Response Spitiyul and Emotinal Care Teams (“Care Teams”) are faith-based, on-going teams with standardized UMCOR training that provide spiritual and emotional care following disasters.
PHASES OF A DISASTER
Emergency Phase
Usually lasts 1 to 3 days. In this stage emergency personnel (the professionals) are in control.
Examples of emergency personnel include: Fire Departments, Police Departments, EMS, and in
some cases, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The church should monitor the
situation (Southwest Texas Conference churches, disaster-response representatives and the
United Methodist Committee on Relief) but has no specific role in the work that happens in this
stage. This phase is where search and rescue, medical triage, fire suppression, and other life
saving procedures takes place.
Relief Phase
Usually lasts 10 times longer than the Emergency Phase (example: If the Emergency Phase
lasts one day, the Relief Phase lasts about 30 days). Early Response Teams (ERT’s) do their
work in this phase, and relief supplies (food, water, shelter, etc.) are provided. The Southwest
Texas Conference, the district and local churches begin organizing themselves for the Long-Term
Recovery. In Relief Phase assessment is being done, and interfaith alliances are being formed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, and other volunteer (non-
governmental) organizations aiding in disaster response (VOAD) are working to provide help for
the survivors.
Recovery Phase
Usually lasts 10 times longer than the Relief Phase (example: If the Relief Phase lasts 30 days,
the Recovery Stage lasts about 300 days). The emphasis here is on long-term community-based
organizations. This phase is when normal VIM Teams come to the site and do repair and rebuild
work. The church becomes more involved with survivors by providing case work for families. The
Southwest Texas Conference Disaster Response “staff” is in place.
Note: Sometimes a planning phase is included. Regardless of what it is called, planning is
essential if adequate disaster response is to be expected. Even with excellent planning, responding
to a disaster is difficult; without it, disaster response will very likely be a disaster.
LEVELS OF A DISASTER
Low Level
Involves a limited number of households. Assistance provided by local churches and districts, with
notification to District Superintendent.
Medium Level
Involves an entire community or several scattered communities. Assistance provided by organizing
district response through the District Disaster Coordinator and District Superintendent. The
Conference offers assistance when the resources of the community and district are inadequate to
meet the needs.
High Level
Involves a wide area and requires a massive response by state and national agencies. Disaster
Response Subcommittee organizes a conference wide response to the crisis and assists districts
and local churches.
|
|
|
|
|
