2026 Disaster Response Training Conference

February 5–7, 2026 • Myrtle Beach, SC
Theme: The Calm Before the Storm

Register Now!

Hosted in partnership with
Lutheran Servants for Christ • LCMS Southeastern District • LCMS Disaster Response

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Event Overview

Disasters don’t wait — and faithful preparedness helps us serve with confidence and compassion when crisis strikes.

Join us in Myrtle Beach, SC, for the 2026 Disaster Response Training Conference, February 5–7. Together, we will:

• Learn the updated Basic LERT Training and preparedness strategies
• Explore how individuals, congregations, and schools can support disaster-affected communities
• Participate in a round-table discussion on Hurricane Helene recovery
• Gain hands-on skills through field training:
  • Chainsaw operations
  • “Stop the Bleed” emergency response
  • Tarping techniques
  • Tractor & skid steer operations

Come grow your skills, meet fellow volunteers, and enjoy a refreshing winter retreat at the beach — all while preparing to be the hands and feet of Christ in times of chaos.

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Registration Information

Registration Opens October 15, 2025

• Through November 30, 2025
  • $80 — Individual
  • $100 — Family
• December 1, 2025 and after
  • $100 — Individual
  • $120 — Family

Thursday evening dinner included with conference registration

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Venue & Accommodations

Crown Reef Beach Resort
2913 S Ocean Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Reservations Phone: 844-827-2434

Reservation Deadline: January 4, 2026

Conference Name to Mention: 2026 Disaster Relief Conference

Room Types & Rates

Oceanfront
• Weekday: $93.79
• Weekend: $105.09
• Sleeps 4 — 2 beds

Oceanfront Queen Efficiency
• Weekday: $93.79
• Weekend: $105.09
• Sleeps 4 — 2 beds, kitchen

Oceanfront King Efficiency
• Weekday: $93.79
• Weekend: $105.09
• Sleeps 4 — king bed, sleeper sofa

Oceanfront Suite
• Weekday: $105.09
• Weekend: $116.39
• Sleeps 8

Oceanfront Jacuzzi Suite
• Weekday: $116.39
• Weekend: $127.69

Parking fee is waived
Optional breakfast buffet: $16 per person per day

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Tentative Schedule

(Suggested formatting: collapsible accordion by day)

Wednesday, February 4

• 1:00–4:00 PM — Train the Trainer

Thursday, February 5

• 8:00–8:30 — Registration
• 8:30–8:45 — Plenary Session 1
• 9:10–10:40 — Breakout Session 1
• 10:40–10:55 — Fellowship
• 10:55–12:25 — Breakout Session 2
• 12:25–1:45 — Lunch
• 1:45–2:10 — Plenary Session 2
• 2:15–3:45 — Breakout Session 3
• 4:00–5:30 — Breakout Session 4
• 5:30–7:00 — Dinner (Included) & Volunteer of the Year Recognition

Friday, February 6

• 8:15–8:30 — Devotion
• 8:30–9:25 — Plenary Session 3
• 9:30–11:00 — Breakout Session 5
• 11:00–11:15 — Fellowship
• 11:15–12:00 — Plenary Session 4
• 12:00–1:30 — Lunch
• 1:30–3:00 — Breakout Session 6
• 3:00–3:30 — Regional Cluster Fellowship
  • Northern/Central
  • Carolinas
• Piedmont/Coastal Carolinas
  • 3:30–5:00 — Plenary Session 5
  • 5:00–5:15 — Devotion & Closing

Saturday, February 7

• 8:30 AM–12:00 PM — Off-site Field Sessions

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Breakouts

 

Breakout 1 Thursday 9:20-10:50	Breakout 2 Thursday 11:00 – 12:30	Breakout 3 Thursday 2:20-3:50	Breakout 4 Thursday 4:00 – 5:30	Breakout 5 Friday 9:30-11:00	Breakout 6 Friday 1:30-3:00
Site Safety, Ross Johnson	Chainsaw 101, David Hedrick	Ongoing Chainsaw Training 201, David Hedrick	Refueling the Community – Mobile Food Ministry, Paul Ernewein	Multiplying Potential Through Building Teams, Hilary Tew	Spiritual First Aid, Kathy O’Day
Sheet Rock Installation, Ed Grant, Al Popilek	Trauma Medical Training, Part 1, Chafatili, Gardner	Ongoing Trauma Training, Part 2, Chafatili, Gardner	Rest and Refocus – Comfort Dog Ministry, Seth, Comfort Dog	Mudslinging: Best Techniques and Lessons Learned, Ed Grant	Making a Recovery Plan Through Assessments, Dave Panning
Structure and Forms for Teams, Kathy Mathews	Tools, Trailers, and Equipment for Response, Dave Panning	Ordinary Times: Presence of Christ in the Community: Ramp Building and Other Activities, John Beattie	Remediation – Mudwrestling Facts You Need to Know, Dave McGuffey	Witness on the Worksite, Ross Johnson	Supplying a Bug Out Bag, Nicole Beattie
	Making a Recovery Plan through Assessment, Dave Panning

Site Safety, Ross Johnson

Worksite safety is primary for the deployment team. There are many known challenges and invisible challenges as a team deploys in response to disaster needs. This workshop identifies the concerns, procedures, and practices that are important for every volunteer that deploys.

Sheet Rock Installation, Ed Grant and Al Popilek

There is a proper way to install sheet rock and yes, deployment teams are often involved in tearing  destroyed sheetrock  out and putting up new. Ed Grant and Al Popilek have hours of installation experience and share them participants. Be prepared, those taking this class will have a hands-on experience.

Structure and Forms for Teams, Kathy Mathews

Before you set off for deployment, you want to have the team prepared, know the tasks you may be performing, gather all appropriate forms, and register everyone on the LERT system. What forms should you have? What advance preparations are needed? This session will discuss the steps needed to ensure that the team is prepared and ready to serve. It covers how to organize and manage a team on site.

Chainsaw 101, David Hedrick

This classroom session offers basic operational safety techniques; optional Saturday morning field session provides hands-on experience.

Ongoing Chainsaw Training 201, David Hedrick

Second of two classroom sessions sharing basic operational safety techniques; optional Saturday morning field session provides hands-on experience

Trauma Medical Training 1 and 2, Joey Cafateli, Michael Gardner

Two back-to-back classroom sessions providing training in basic first aid techniques and trauma kit applications. Participants will qualify for a Trauma Training certificate.

Tools, Trailers, and Equipment for Response, Dave Panning

Interested in a tool trailer or tools for response for the congregational response team? In this session, Dave Panning explains the types of tools needed, developing trailers, and the equipment that is available through LSC.

Ordinary Times: Presence of Christ in the Community: Ramp Building and Other Activities, John Beattie

Disaster Response is sharpened and improved during those ordinary times when we are not responding to crisis. John Beattie, Eternal Shepherd – Seneca, shares the opportunities to impact the community with Gospel Grace. One of Eternal Shepherd’s specialties is ramp building. This simple act of kindness allows residents to remain in their homes. Learn more about it in this workshop.

Refueling the Community – Mobile Food Ministry, Paul Ernewein

Interested in what happens when you develop a team to feed the hurting, displaced, and disaster victims? Pastor Paul has developed a mobile food ministry that serves in the midst of need. Come learn more about it and explore the possibility of organizing a mobile foo ministry fin your congregation or circuit.

Rest and Refocus: Comfort Dog Ministry, Seth, Faith and the Comfort Dogs of the SED

The Comfort Dog ministry is a unique form of outreach and crisis/disaster support.  It is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are a bridge for compassionate ministry, opening doors for conversation about faith and creating opportunities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.

Remediation: Mudwrestling Facts you Need to Know,  Dave McGuffey

 When the flood waters leave mud and moisture that inspire mold to take over, how do you respond? What do you do? If your deployment incudes mold removal and remediation, how do you safely work? Dave has led teams above and underground to work on these issues. Learn safety and technique from him in this session.

Multiplying Potential through Building Teams, Hilary Tew

 It takes a team to successfully deploy – both with back home support and on-site management. Hilary will talk about the key ingredients of team building, identifying, and empowering leadership.

Mudslinging: Best Techniques & Lessons Learned, Ed Grant

Have you ever applied joint compound to drywall or worked hard to make smooth-looking seams? During this session, participants will learn the secrets to “mudslinging” from one of the best! Come ready to try it out.

Witness on the Worksite, Ross Johnson

The intersection of compassion and proclamation comes as teams serve in times of needs. During this workshop, participants will explore the call to provide a defense of the Gospel in every situation in ways that show the love of God in Jesus for all his children

Spiritual First Aid, Kathy O’Day

We are deployed to locations where pain and loss are compounded by the questions of “Where is God”, “How could he have let this happen?” What we know and believe is challenged and often feelings of abandonment abound. Spiritual First Aid helps us to understand these challenges and provides us with guidance in listening, praying, and being present. Lutheran Church Charities has developed a program for equipping volunteers in their work as Spiritual First Aid responders.

Supplying a Bug Out Bag, Nicole Beattie

 Designed as a pre-pack survival kit or a to-go bag, it contains food, water, a first-aid kit and other necessities to be grabbed in case of an emergency. Nicole leads participants in understanding how to prepare a bug out bag and why it is important.

Making a Recovery Plan through Assessments, Dave Panning

Before the real work begins the very important step of assessing the damage to home and property is key to knowing whom to send, the types of teams, and equipment. Learn what to look for in this workshop.