Advanced Early Response / Basic Disaster Response Training

October 2 & 3 Emporia First United Methodist Church

Due to new guidelines set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and United Methodist Committee on Relief, volunteers who wish to assist in the early stages following disasters must have Early Response Team Certification to volunteer. Requirements for the Early Response Team Certification include:

Complete Early Response Team course

Complete the basic disaster response course

Complete Safe and Sacred Space Certification

Volunteer at one disaster site

Training participants will learn how our volunteers can assist in damaged communities without causing any burden on the community by being totally self sufficient. Proper roof tarp application techniques, debris sorting, temporary repairs and damage assessments will be demonstrated. Participants will earn certified photo identification upon completion of the certification process.

Once certified, Early Response Teams will have the opportunity to respond to disasters both within our Conference area as well as disasters that affect other conference in the United States. The Early Response Teams are the first volunteer teams that we send in after a disaster and are utilized in many different areas such as: debris removal, temporary repairs, applying roof tarps, shelter operations, child care, volunteer reception centers, and damage assessment.

The Kansas East Conference will offer the Early Response Team course on October 2 and 3, 2009 at Emporia 1st United Methodist Church. Class begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2 and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3. We will spend the night in the Church to simulate conditions encountered on an early response team so students will need to bring bedding and personal hygiene items (cots will be provided). Registration will include breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Students who successfully complete this course will receive certification in Basic Disaster Response from the Kansas East Conference, as well as Early Response Team certification from UMCOR.

To register, call Julie Pohl at: 785-989-3237 or e-mail kseastvim@yahoo.com Course size is limited to 15 people. This class will have a $20.00 registration fee to help cover the cost of student materials and meals. Registration deadline is September 26, 2009.

TRAINING AVAILABLE FROM KANSAS EAST CONFERENCE:

Volunteers should receive training prior to participating in disaster response or leading a Volunteers In Mission team. The following classes are offered by the Kansas East Conference VIM/Disaster Response team:

Basic Disaster Response training:

This class is offered to persons wanting to volunteer for disaster response either to a current disaster or future disasters. This class includes a more in-depth discussion of the disaster response process. Participants completing this training receive a photo ID card that is valid for three years.

Early Response Team training: ERT training is now available,-call Julie to schedule a class.

This training is approximately ten hours in length conducted in a Friday evening and Saturday format. This training focuses on procedures for teams that wish to respond in the early days of a disaster to perform debris removal, clean-up, and temporary repairs. This class is taught by UMCOR certified instructors and is required for all members of Early Response Teams. Completion of the Safe and Sacred Sanctuaries training, including background check, are pre-requisites for this class.

Volunteers In Mission Team Leader training:

This training is designed for volunteers who wish to lead a VIM team and is beneficial to all VIM team members. This class provides information on the duties and responsibilities of a VIM team leader and provides a wealth of information on how to organize a successful VIM trip.

Local Church Disaster Response Plan training:

This training provides information to local churches about how to plan for response to disasters that may occur in their church, town or neighborhood. It is essential that local churches have a plan before the disaster strikes so that they can respond in an effective manner without duplicating services already offered by other churches or organizations. Information is also provided about how the church can prepare a continuation of service plan so that it can continue to fulfill it’s mission should a disaster strike the church.

Community Organizations Active in Disaster / Long Term Recovery Organizations:

This community based training prepares the community organizations to work together during a disaster.

Disaster Response Case Management:

This class provides volunteers with training to work with disaster survivors on a one-to-one basis to assist them through the recovery process.

Emotional and Spiritual Care:

This class provides information on how to respond to survivors as well as how to care for the caregivers.

For more information CLICK HERE to view the training brochure.

SCHEDULED TRAINING:

2009

October 2 & 3 Early Response Team Training Emporia First UMC

October 17 Early Response Team Training Church of the Resurrection

October 25 Basic Disaster Response Training Council Grove UMC

November 7 AHA CPR and AED training Church of the Resurrection

November 10 Basic Disaster Response Training Olpe UMC

November 12 Basic Disaster Response Training Osage City UMC

2010

January 9 AHA CPR and AED training Church of the Resurrection

February 6 Basic Disaster Response Training Wamego UMC (at FH District Event)

To be Announced Disaster Case Management

To register, call Julie Pohl at: 785-989-3237 or e-mail kseastvim@yahoo.com