Resources for congregations and individuals for being prepared for disasters and emergency situations.
We especially recommend these resources to help you with this issue:
- UUA's Handling Trauma in the Aftermath of Disaster Page - www.uua.org/safe/response/index.shtml
- The Life Cycle of a Disaster (video) - www.uua.org/safe/response/120488.shtml
- Resource Page of the UU Trauma Ministry Team - www.traumaministry.org/resources
- CERG Emergency Management Resources Page - www.cerguua.org/emergmanage.html
- CERG Safety Resources Page - www.cerguua.org/safetyres.html
- Church Mutual's Safety Resources (you do not need to be a customer to request or download these) - www.churchmutual.com/index.php/choice/risk/page/intro/id/21
State (OH, PA, WV, NY) Disaster Response Websites
Community Animal Response Team (covers a tri-state area, southeast Ohio, southwest PA, northern WV) www.TriStateCART.com
Ohio
- Ohio Emergency Management Agency ~ www.ema.ohio.gov
- Be Prepared Kit by State of Ohio agencies responsible for disability and aging services ~ www.olrs.ohio.gov/ASP/GetPrepared.asp
- Hunger Network of Ohio ~ www.hungernetohio.org
- Ohio Legal Rights Service for people with Disabilities ~ www.olrs.ohio.gov
- Ohio Citizen Corps ~ http://ohioresponds.gov/
- Readiness Ohio ~ www.ready.ohio.gov
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency ~ www.pema.state.pa.us
- Ready Pennsylvania ~ www.readypa.org
- Pennsylvania Hunger Action center ~ www.pahunger.org
- Disabilities Rights Network of PA ~ http://drnpa.org
West Virginia
- West Virginia Emergency Management Agency ~ www.dhsem.wv.gov
- Ready West Virginia ~ www.ready.wv.gov/
- Volunteer West Virginia ~ www.volunteerwv.org
New York
- New York Emergency Management Agency ~ www.dhses.ny.gov/
- New York Health Department Emergency Preparedness Page ~ www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/
- NY Hunger Action Network ~ www.hungeractionnys.org
Where to Start
Make a Plan
- Develop a congregational communications plan. Know how you will reach those who are in need of medication, the home-bound, etc
- Inventory your assets
- Create a plan of how to provide shelter in place, safety in the congregation’s building
- Create a plan for evacuation
Getting Ready for that "We Hope it Never Happens Here Event" that Just Might Happen
- Keep insurance policies up to date with realistic coverage levels
- Do not keep the insurance policy in the church building to avoid it being lost or damaged if the building should be damaged or destroyed
- Check flood plain plans to be sure the church is not in any newly drawn plans. If it is obtain flood insurance
- Have someone trained to know what to do to coordinate information and how to file claims
- Have someone act as coordinator to meet and get to know fire and police responders
- Develop a plan on how to safeguard essential church documents. Make a second copy of all legal documents, insurance policies and other vital files and move them to an off-site storage area.
- Develop a communication plan to keep congregation members connected and informed in the event of a disaster.
Get a Kit
- Gather and have on hand an emergency supply kit – water, food, first-aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies, sanitation needs, hygiene items, etc.
Be Informed
- Learn about specific threats to your city/region, and know what you will have to do.
Make a Checklist
- Phone numbers, check to see if there is adequate insurance, know how to use fire extinguishers, check smoke detectors regularly, stock emergency supplies, take a CPR class, determine escape route, determine safe spots in the building
Practice and maintain your plan.
- Check utilities and know where all sources are located.
