Photo: The aftermath of a natural disaster, courtesy, gbgm-umc.org. Please read below to see how and where you can be trained to serve those in need after a natural disaster.
UMCOR DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING
The Cal-Nevada Conference will be hosting an UMCOR Disaster Preparedness and Response Training March 24-28, 2010 at Camp Lodestar, 6135 Blue Mountain Road, Wilseyville, CA 95257. This training is open to those beyond the Cal-Nevada Conference border. If you are interested in attending this training please contact Phil Bandy, the UMVIM Conference Coordinator for the Cal-Nevada Conference at philb@calnevumc.org. The training prices and registration information are as follows:
Full Conference:
Wed.-Sun. Service = $250
(Includes all meals and lodging)
Children in Trauma Class: Add $50
Chainsaw A: Add $50
Chainsaw B
(includes Sun. Lunch): Add $65
Chainsaw B Stand Alone Class
(includes Sat. Lodging & Dinner,
Sun. Breakfast & Lunch): $125
Please register online and pay by check before March 10th. Payable to: "Ca-Nev Conference" Memo line: "Dist. Training + participant’s name"
Mail to: UMVIM - Ca/Nev Conference
P.O. Box 980250,
West Sacramento, CA. 95798-0250
INFORMATION ABOUT UMCOR TRAININGS
In addition to UMVIM Team Leader training, you may want to receive other training depending on how you would like to serve on an UMVIM team. UMCOR offers several trainings each with its own emphasis. Here are some of them listed below. If you are interested in getting an UMCOR training in your annual conference please contact your UMVIM Conference Coordinator.
Basic Disaster Ministry 101
Basic Disaster Ministry is an introduction for all people interested in the unique and important role the faith community plays in disaster readiness and response in the United States. Participants learn about disasters, traditional responses to a disaster and how the faith-based response is different, how to prepare for a disaster, and ways to get involved after disaster strikes.
Early Response Team: Basic
The mission of an ER team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster, under very specific guidelines that enable a team to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community. Team members are given ID badges as evidence of training. You will learn the who, what, when, where and how of doing ministry as well as hands on experience in the specific tasks that early responders are expected to accomplish.
Spiritual and Emotional Care Basic
This introduction on spiritual and emotional care needs of individuals, communities and congregations following disasters, responses to those needs, strategies for disaster responders’ self-care and training on how Care Teams fit into the overall UM disaster response structure.
Early Response Team: Train-the-Trainer
All Early Response Team classes are taught by UMCOR-trained and authorized instructors. This program prepares those Instructors for volunteer ERT training within their United Methodist Conference. Once trained, potential ERT Trainers will be evaluated in a class setting. ERT Trainers become certified after successful completion of the UMCOR ERT Trainer Evaluation.
On Site Management for ER Teams
An overview of the basic ERT and then goes into hosting/receiving ERT’s. Aimed at folks who have time and can be self-sufficient. This class introduces people to the ERT system and guidelines and enables them to set up appropriately for the incoming teams. Special emphasis is placed on permission from home owners for work to be done, coordination of teams and the tools necessary for setting up and reporting activities.
Hosting Volunteers
Volunteers play a critical role in any disaster recovery effort.
This workshop will help prepare you for providing volunteer housing, food, transportation, recreation, and affirmation.
Care Team
A more in depth look at Care Team responsibilities for volunteers planning to serve on a "Care Team" specifically.
Conference Disaster Response Training
The members of the Conference Disaster Response Committee are responsible for developing and implementing the Conference’s disaster response plan. This course will prepare the Committee for this important task, and also covers the roles of the Disaster Response Committee members in all phases of disaster.
Chainsaw
We will provide hands on, supervised safe practices to help chainsaw operators understand the way to approach debris removal that disasters create and the ability to recognize when they are over their head.
Students must provide saws, safety equipment, sharpening tools, fuel, and oil.
Children In Trauma - (Church of the Brethren)
Designed for people who have a heart and passion to help children after a disaster. Participants are trained to recognize and understand the fears and other emotions children experience during and following a disaster and how play and art can start the healing process. Once training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become certified by providing references, criminal and sexual background checks. CDS volunteers provide a calm, safe and reassuring presence in the midst of chaos, by setting up and operating child care centers in disaster locations. Workshop is open to
anyone over the age of 18.
