Disaster Prep. Resources
The District Disaster Response Task Force works to collect and provide information to assist congregations and members to be prepared for times of disaster. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Liz DeMik, SED Disaster Recovery Assistant.
We encourage each congregation to identify a disaster coordinator. Please forward the name of your coordinator to the District. Congregations are also encouraged to prepare a congregational disaster plan (a six module program to assist in this planning has been developed by the task force.)
Human Care Bulletin Inserts
Mercy: Every Christian's Vocation
Pro-Life
Even When I Forget Who I Am (Alzheimer's)
Without Shelter (Homelessness)
Human Care Resource List
Risk Management (Church Violence)
Planning for Disaster
Suggested Newsletter (option 1)
Suggested Newsletter (option 2)
Congregational Pandemic Planning
Congregational Preparedness Worksheet
Web Sites for Congregational Resources
CHURCH RELATED ORGANIZATIONS:
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Relief and Human Care
The ministry of LCMS that focuses on health and human care issues, including disaster response; Web includes information and links.
Lutheran Mission Society www.lutheranmissionsociety.org
Organization established in 1905 in Maryland that provides food, clothing, disaster relief, and the Gospel through 8 Compassion Centers, including a mobile compassion trailer that can be moved as needed. Web links to many resources for disaster response and recovery.
Lutheran Disaster Response (National) www.ldr.org
An organization of LCMS and ELCA that focuses on working with the Lutheran Church at large to assist with disaster recovery throughout the USA. Web provides many resources for churchesand individuals who want to work with disaster response and recovery.
Lutheran Services in America (LSA) www.lutheranservices.org
An alliance of LCMS and ELCA and their related social ministry organizations; includes over 300 health and service organizations serving over 6 million clients per year.
Lutheran Church Charities www.lutheranchurchcharities.org
Headquartered in Addison, Ill, LCC is a ministry founded in 1947 to help support Christian human care ministries of the Church. LCC connects needs with resources, working with congregations to help Christians make a difference in people’s lives and in God’s Kingdom.
Orphan Grain Train www.ogt.org
International Lutheran Hour ministry/relief organization founded in 1992 after needs for spiritual and humanitarian aid were witnessed in the former Soviet Union. OGT has sent over 20,000,000 pounds of supplies worldwide, including to disaster sites. Headquarters in Nebraska but has 18 locations throughout the USA. Web site notes ongoing needs and projects. Many opportunities for congregations and organizations to be involved.
U.S. GOVERNMENT/PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Disaster News Network (DNN) www.disasternews.net
DNN is a news service that tells the story of disaster response and suggests appropriate ways the public can help survivors. Includes information on disaster work of various church bodies.
American Red Cross www.redcross.org
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter, provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Provides training for volunteers and web site offers much information for responding to any disaster throughout the world.
Salvation Army www.salvationarmyusa.org
The Salvation Army has been supporting those in need in His name since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance each year through food for the hungry, clothing and shelter and opportunities for the disabled, ill and poor, as well as relief for disaster victims, The SA is often among the first on the scene of a disaster. SA Disaster Canteens are familiar sights to firemen, police and victims. Their web site offers information and opportunities to train and volunteer.
Faith Based Strategic Thinking www.LewisSaylor.com
Located in No. VA, Lewis Saylor is a well known speaker and writer who has provided leadership and guidance to faith communities in preparing for disasters. His web site offers many resources that churches can use as they make their preparedness plans.
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster www.nvoad.org
NVOAD is a national organization that coordinates planning efforts by many voluntary organizations responding to disaster. Local VOAD groups are made up of regional member organizations who meet and are ready to respond if contacted by NVOAD. The Web site offers information on how your organization can become involved in NVOAD/VOAD.
FEMA www.fema.gov
On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary mission of FEMA is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters through a system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. This extensive web site is very comprehensive in dealing
with all aspects of disasters.
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security www.ready.gov
This web site provides information, materials and resources available to organizations (such as
churches) and individuals for use in preparing and planning for any emergency.
Be Ready Make a Plan www.makeaplan.org
A web site that provides guidance in developing a family emergency plan as well as links to local government agencies in the metro D.C, area for specific information to a given area.
Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention www.emergency.cdc.gov
A division of the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC web site offers detailed information on all types of disasters, including bioterrorism, chemical, radiation, and other threats, etc. and how to plan and cope with a disaster, man made or natural.
Camp Noah www.campnoah.org
Developed by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Camp Noah is a week long, faith-based day camp offered for elementary-age children who have experienced a disaster staffed by trained counselors, mental health professionals and volunteers. Camp Noah combines recovery support for children with fun filled recreation to form a unique and healing experience. Congregations can provide volunteer teams that provide volunteers to work directly with children, financial support to cover costs, or in-kind contributions of arts and crafts supplies.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans www.thriventbuilds.com
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families and their communities as it cares for others. Thrivent is working with Habitat for humanity to build homes in areas that have been affected by disasters. This web site provide the information you need to learn how you can volunteer.
Church World Service Emergency Response Program www.cwserp.org
This is a Church World Service (CWS) information and resources web site for persons interested in the ministry of the religious community in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Provides many resources, including “Emergency & Recovery Plan for the Religious Community,” a model plan for preparing to respond to building and property losses caused by disasters.
School Preparedness
God’s Care in Times of Crisis A resource manual for training Christian School Teams and Administrators to meet crisis situations. Also available to lead workshops.
Contact Authors: Rick Armstrong @ rrarms@aol.com
Ann Eissfeldt @ eissfer@worldnet.att.net
Practical Information on Crisis Planning www.ed.gov/emergencyplan
Excellent U.S. Department of Education resource for all schools as they develop their emergency
preparedness and response plans. Can be downloaded or will send a copy on request.
Available from Concordia Publishing House www.cph.org
Where Is God Now? Item #51-3004web $2.60ea
Written for survivors, a “Portals of Prayer” style /size devotional book of 60 devotions, prayers,
Scripture readings, hymns, and disaster information is intended for use following a disaster.
Available from the Virginia Council of Churches www.vacouncilofchurches.org
The Changing Role of the Church in Disasters - A Reference Guide for Virginia Churches
Excellent simply written guide for congregations to use as they develop their congregational
disaster preparedness plans. Can be downloaded free from their web site. (Click Programs, then
go to VOAD information site.)