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In November 2007 Crossett First United Methodist Church became only the second UMC in Arkansas to have a UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief) approved Early Response Team disaster relief trailer.
Its purpose is to support the logistical needs of volunteer teams (3 to 10 members) deployed by invitation of UMCOR to distressed areas to help with clean-up and preparation for rebuilding and repair. Teams are deployed for a maximum of 3 days and the trailer contains the tools they will most likely need (rakes, brooms, shovels, axes, etc.) plus the items needed to feed and shelter the team (tent, stove, fans, cots, a 5500-watt generator, etc.) so that they will not be an added burden on already over-burdened communities.
Basic Early Response Team training was conducted in March of 2008 and 20 church members were certified as Early Response Team members. Another training session is planned for the summer of 2009.
The church has been called on to deploy its Early Response Team three times in the last year, twice following tornadoes, and most recently following the February ice storm.
Below are several pictures taken during these deployments. All are thumbnails. Click to enlarge.
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The team, ready to leave for Imboden following the February ice storm |
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Tarping a roof in Junction City following a tornado |
Salvaging reusable material near Greers Ferry following a tornado |
Debbie Walsh on road clearing detail near Imboden following the February ice storm |
Last Updated 05/14/09
