Holston Disaster Response
The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.
ERT Basic Training Classes
Saturday, October 8, 2011
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (1-hour lunch break on your own)
State Street UMC - Bristol
300 West Valley Drive
Bristol, VA 24201
Ooltewah UMC
6131 Relocation Way
Ooltewah, TN 37363
Registration will close October 5.
Please register with Ralph Brock, 423-479-1056, edwinb2756@bellsouth.net.
Spiritual and Emotional Care Teams Wanted
The Conference Disaster Response Team and UMCOR are sponsoring the formation of theHolston Conference Spiritual and Emotional Care Team. The team needs persons who are good listeners, persons with ministry training, mental health training, fully trained Stephen Ministers, and other interested caring persons. Those who are fully trained and meet all requirements will be credentialed as members of the Holston Conference Care Team.
Please present this opportunity FOR TRAINING to those in your congregation who are potential candidates, especially persons in the above groups. PLEASE REGISTER by August 4, 2011.
August 22 & 23
Location: Cokesbury UMC (North Campus), 9919 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37922
Basic Care Team Training
8:30 – 5:00 on Monday, August 22
Lunch, Snacks and Training Materials:
provided at no cost to participants
Care Team Leader Training
8:30 – 12:30 on Tuesday, August 23
Bishop Swanson invites you to assist - Disaster Response
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2011 Spring Storms
As this letter from UMCOR was received over the weekend, the midwest was being ravaged by tornadoes. UMCOR is needing your support in order to respond appropriately to the needs throughout the U.S. Give NOW to Advance#: 3021326
The persons who have been so dramatically impacted by the recent outbreak of tornadoes will be eternally grateful to the good people of Holston Conference for their response. At this point, our work continues. We have five major areas in the Conference to which we are currently responding: Trenton in Chattanooga District, Apison in Cleveland District, Greene County (Camp Creek and Horse Creek) in the Johnson City District, Glade Spring in the Abingdon District, and Pulaski in the Wytheville District. Other areas may be added as assessments are made. We ask your ongoing support in the following ways.
Teams to Work in Affected Areas
As of Monday, May 9, the Conference Disaster Response Team has a Call Center operational to match cleanup and repair needs with volunteer teams. The phone numbers for the Call Center are 865-309-9530 and 865-309-9563, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If the volunteers are on the phone when you call, please leave a message, and your call will be returned as soon as possible. The Call Center will be placing teams in each of the five affected areas, and we anticipate the need will last for at least 3 years.
Giving
The monetary needs to respond to this storm will be far beyond original estimates and will continue for about 3 more years. Donations to Disaster Response within Holston (Advance #143) can be sent through your Church Treasurer to the Conference Office. These funds will be used to respond to those areas affected in Holston.
You may also make a donation to UMCOR Spring Storms 2011, UMCOR Emergency Advance #3021326. These funds will be used across the Southeast and Midwest.
Your gifts – 100% of which will be used to aid survivors – will bring hope to many hurting persons.
Please continue to pray for all those affected and for persons who are responding to them.
Contacts
Holston Conference Coordinator
Disaster Response Ministries
Jim Fetzer • 865/675-3331
Northern Early Response Team Coordinator
Dave Henderson • 276/870-1720
Southern Early Response Team Coordinator
Ralph Brock • 423/240-8953
ERT Training Coordinator & Financial Support
Mark Hicks • 865/809-9044
First Aid, CPR & AED Training Coordinator
Pat Wilcox • 941/345-6050
ERT Deployment; Registration and Insurance Coordinator
Nancy Hobbs • 276/708-6110
Disaster Response
Please make all donation checks payable to Holston Conference Advanced Special # 143
Early Response Teams fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church. There are specific tasks assigned to a team, but their first priority is the people they serve. These teams are different from the regular UMVIM teams you might be familiar with. Careful attention should be paid to the responsibilities of team members.
Early Response Teams …
- - Share the love of Christ in ways that make a Christian difference.
- - Take steps to prevent further damage to property, by doing tasks such as tarping, and cleaning out flooded homes.
- - Take note of the victim’s needs and report them to the local conference, or other disaster relief operations.
- - Listen and help victims begin to heal.
- - Provide an opportunity for Christian service for those who want to give their time.
Why do we need Early Response Teams?
Disaster victims are reassured that the church cares for them.
Members of the United Methodist Church and the community are able to see the church in action.
Immediate assistance is available to persons who are usually older or disabled without a family support system nearby.
Teams provide immediate and quick response care for victims. (United Methodists can be “first in” and “last out.”)
Recent News
Recertification for Early Response Team workers
March 8, 2011
HOLSTON CONFERENCEEARLY RESPONSE TEAM2011 UMCOR MANDATED RECERTIFICATIONFOR All UMCOR/HOLSTON CONFERENCE ERT qualified persons who have had their ERT training three years or more ago who wish to be recertified by attending UMCOR Mandated Recertification Training.ERT ... more
