Alaska Disaster Response

Alaska has received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for flooding along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. Larry Powell, United Methodist Committee on Relief, is asking for help from United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Teams. Help is needed in June 2009 at the village of Eagle which can be reached by road.

Please contact UMVIM PNW Coordinator Ronda Cordill if you or church would be able to help.

Family Planning for Pandemic Flu

Plans for individuals and families from the Center For Disease Control (CDC)

1. Store a supply of water and food. You may not be able to get to a store and this is also useful in other emergencies.

2. Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, vitamins, and stomach remedies.

3. Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick or what will be needed to care for them in your home.

4. Volunteer with your church and/or other groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.

5. Review the PNW Conference Disaster Plan for local church actions.
www.gbgm-umc.org/disasterteam/pnwplan.htm

6. Get involved with your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

Swine Flu Alert

Currently there is no cause for alarm over the Swine Flu epidemic.
Please seek to calm your congregations.

Prevention is the best course of action at this time. The steps in prevention are:

1. Wash hands frequently --- particularly after being in public areas where you might touch door knobs, railings, etc. Wash long enough to sing Happy Birthday once through.

2. Cover face when coughing or sneezing. The flu is spread by droplets of water from your breath.

3. Stay home if you are sick.

4. If there is a flu outbreak in your neighborhood, you may wish to stay at least 6 feet from other people.

5. Consider using intinction for Eucharist rather than the common cup during this time.

Common symptoms of Swine Flu:
1. fever
2. lethargy
3. lack of appetite
4. coughing

Some people also report the symptoms of:
1. runny nose
2. sore throat
3. nausea
4. Vomiting

Refer to your conference disaster plan for general disaster response information.
www.gbgm-umc.org/disasterteam/pnwplan.htm

Washington Long Term Recovery

Clallam County Long Term Recovery Organization
Pat Downie - chair
360-417-5640
PatrickD@ccsww.org

Cowlitz County Long Term Recovery Committee
Jason Cook - Facilitator
360-430-4169
jasacook@gmail.com

Grays Harbor Long Term Recovery Organization
Rev. Dr. Bill Peterson - Chair
360-592-2389 cell
ghltro@centurytel.net

Lewis County East:
White Pass Community Services Disaster Recovery
Doug Hayden - Director
360-496-5404
DougHayden@lewiscounty.com

Lewis County West:
Lewis County Long Term Recovery Organization
Sharon Gober - Director
360-740-8323
Sharon.gober@yahhoo.com

Mason County Long Term Recovery Organization
Rev. Alvin Aosved - Chair
360-275-3714
aaosved@pnwumc.org

Pacific County Disaster Recovery Organization
Kenneth W. Cothran - Chair
360-942-2141
kwcothran@pacdro.org

Skagit Interfaith Disaster Recovery Organization
Rev. Tom Ross - Moderator
360-630-7633
tomross@compuserve.com

Snohomish County:
Skyvalley Disaster Recovery Committee
Michol Phillips - Chair
425-923-6698
skyvalleyDRC@gmail.com

Thurston County Long Term Recovery Organization
Paul Peck - Chair
Message Line 360-741-2615
www.rebuildthurston.org

Spokane/Kootenai County et al:
Inland NW Long Term Recovery Committee
Rev. Phyllis Todd, Chair
509-939-7906
tworevstodd@comcast.net

Disaster Donation Opportunities

1. UMCOR
Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) can be sent through your lcoal church treasurer to the PNW Conference Treasurer's Office.
or you can send your donation directly to:
UMCOR
P/O Box 9068
New York, NY 10087

2. PNW Conference Disaster Relief
Donations to the Pacific Northwest Conference can be sent to:
Bishop's Appeal/Disaster Relief
PNW Conference Treasurer's Office
816 South 216th, Building 2
P/O Box 13650
Des Moines, WA 98198-1009

3. One Great Hour of Sharing (See church calendar)

Early Response Team Hospitality

We are collecting information about possible sites to house United Methodist Early Response Teams and later United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Teams. Would it be possible for your church to host teams on a short-term basis? If so:
1. How many people do you estimate you could accommodate assuming the team members sleep in sleeping bags on the floor or on cots.
2. Do you have a kitchen?
3. Do you have showers?
Please email your answers to Jim Truitt at jftruitt@comcast.net or by calling 253-630-1268.

Washington State Emergency Management link

http://www.emd.wa.gov/