Kansas East Conference
United Methodist Church
VIM / Disaster Response
When disaster strikes, United Methodists respond—with prayers, with money,
with time, with labor, with love.
First Response Teams provide immediate assistance to those affected by a disaster, especially those who are older or disabled and those who might not have their support system nearby to help them with the hard work of debris cleanup or to make temporary repairs to their homes.
In addition, early responders provide support and a listening ear for those who have been affected by a disaster. They also observe and report the survivor's needs to the conference and the local incident coordinator.
Early response teams do not perform rebuilding or repair work that may jeopardize a victim's eligibility for financial assistance from insurance and government agencies.
Long-term Disaster Response Teams and Volunteer In Mission Teams assist with the rebuilding and permanent repair of damaged property after the initial clean-up and temporary repairs have been completed. We coordinate this work through the local Long-Term Recovery Committee and jobs are selected utilizing a disaster case management process.
Demonstrating Our Faith In Action
Around The World And Here At Home!
The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church . The content of these home pages is the responsibility of Steve Burnett. Please send feedback to srburn@madtel.net.
Advanced Disaster Response Training
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.
See the Training Information page for details on this training.
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
Julie Pohl
P.O. Box 518
Elwood, KS 66024.
(816) 390-0324 or
(785) 989-3237
e-mail: kseastvim@yahoo.com
Assistant Disaster Response Coordinator
Steve Burnett
P.O. Box 276
Madison, KS 66860
785-410-0210
e-mail: srburn@madtel.net
View the latest Disaster Response Update that includes information on our response to the tornadoes in Harveyville, KS., Reading, KS, and Joplin, MO. by clicking HERE.
Skilled Disaster Response teams are needed in Harveyville, KS to assist with the recovery from the February 28th tornado. To schedule a team e-mail harveyvilletornado@gmail.com. Also let Julie Pohl know if you are sending a team to Harveyville. View photos of the Harveyville tornado by clicking HERE.
Skilled Disaster Response teams are needed NOW in Reading, KS, to assist with the repair and rebuilding of homes damaged by the May 21st tornado. If you have construction skills or are willing to work with a skilled person, please contact Steve Burnett at srburn@madtel.net.
Training classes are scheduled for this Spring. Click HERE to view the scheduled classes. Contact Julie Pohl at kseastvim@yahoo.com if you would like to schedule a class in your area.
Shower Trailer Update: The shower trailer has been completed and now it is time to start working on the support trailer so we can have the capability to be fully self-contained. This will include tanks and pumps to allow us to provide fresh water to the shower trailer and to haul wastewater to a disposal site without having to move the shower trailer once it is set up and operational. We will also include a generator and spare propane cylinders for the furnace and water heater. These items will be mounted on a “skid load” so they can be removed and allow the trailer to be used for hauling building materials, skid steer loaders, and other equipment when not needed to support operations of the shower trailer.
The support trailer has been purchased and we will soon start building the skid load. If you would like to volunteer to assist with this project contact Steve Burnett at srburn@madtel.net.
