Email
baburnside@neumc.org
Contact
Barbara Burnside, Conference Disaster Response & Mission Coordinator
Who Should Take This Training: Those who have a passion for coming alongside survivors of a disaster and giving them hope, letting them know the church cares and helping them begin their recovery. Being ERT trained and background checked with badges that have photos (that are updated every 3 years) will prepare you to respond when disaster strikes – in your own community or elsewhere, although you don’t need a badge to respond in your own backyard.
Course Description: Early Response Team (ERT) training includes an in depth look at the basics of disaster response, including what typically happens in the aftermath of a disaster, survivors reactions, how we respond as ERTs, what work we do and don’t do, how teams are developed and equipped, etc.
Early Response Teams provide a caring, Christian presence and bring hope through your actions in the aftermath of a disaster. These teams are neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery rebuild or repair team; rather they fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church and remove debris, tarp roofs to prevent further damage, muck out basements, remove wet wallboard, clean up mold, etc.
During the class, participants will also review important aspects of disaster spiritual and emotional care, organizational structure for the relief stage, team safety, ERT protocols and safe sanctuaries.
UMCOR ERT Trainer: