Disaster preparedness workbook and webinars help churches for ‘when’ not ‘if’ they strike

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predictions for an above-normal hurricane season that were released at the start of the season in June, have proven true. With a string of strong hurricanes hitting the United States, the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries encourages congregations to have in place disaster preparedness policies.

Such policies, says Katie Howe, minster for disaster response and recovery, are not just for the news-making named stores, but for unnamed weather events that wreak just as much havoc, as well as other natural or human-caused events that bring damage and/or loss of life to a community.

According to Howe and the Global H.O.P.E. team, planning for all disasters should be part of a congregation’s ministry.

“It is no longer a question of ‘if’ a disaster will strike a community, but rather ‘when,’” said Global H.O.P.E. Team Leader Andrew Long-Higgins. “This is the reality for all communities — even those who think they are in parts of the country that have historically been immune from such disasters.”

New disaster planning workbook available

To help congregations start preparing for disasters, Howe, along with a group of volunteers made up of clergy, response workers and UCC Conference Disaster and Response Coordinators) have created a newly revised “Disaster Preparedness Guide for Local Churches: A Workbook.”

According to Howe, the word “workbook” was intentionally chosen over “manual” because the information presented, she said, is instructional, not mandatory.

“We recognize that each congregation is unique in its needs and ministry setting. We wanted to create a document that wasn’t overbearing or overwhelming. Unlike a manual, where you are instructed to do something as a ‘must,’ this workbook is for congregations to work and engage with. It is a guide help get you started,” she said.

The goal of the new workbook is to shift congregations from being reactive to proactive. The only “must-do’s” are step one and two, said Howe, with the first step being collecting contact information of vital resources both within the congregation and the larger community.

“Make sure to include names, numbers and information of those in the congregation who might need special assistance during a disaster,” said Howe.

After collecting information, comes step two: Disseminating the information to the congregation. Howe suggests either creating a disaster preparedness team in the church or rolling the responsibilities into an existing committee like buildings and grounds. It is also important to appoint someone to oversee the disaster plan.

“This person is not responsible for doing everything, but rather this person knows the plan and can delegate what needs to get done,” said Howe.

After the first two steps, congregations can delve more deeply by exploring how to become a Red Cross shelter area or how to stock food and supplies within the church building.

No matter how basic or intricate a church’s disaster plan is, Howe stressed the need for such a plan to be revisited and updated on a regular basis. She suggests a yearly review of a church’s disaster plan scheduled either during the congregation’s annual meeting, at the start of hurricane season (June 1) or even on a special Sunday such as when the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is taken.

As for the new disaster preparedness workbook, that too can be a fluid document, with the most updated version released in October. “We recommend churches to check the date to make sure they are working with the most up-to-date version,” said Howe.

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