VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN GALENA, ALASKA; UPDATE ON TORNADO RECOVERY IN MIDWEST

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN GALENA, ALASKA

SPRING 2014

 

 

 



 

I met with representatives from FEMA and the State of Alaska on 11.11.13 to discuss plans for the continued recovery in Galena, AK. Below are the notes I took from this meeting.

 

The bottom line is FEMA is going to offer UMVIM invitational travel again next spring to complete the recovery work we began in August 2013. As of this meeting, our task will be to assemble approximately 9 kit houses and repair approximately 20 houses (I say approximately because the numbers seem to change frequently). Samaritan's Purse will assume responsibility for the non-FEMA authorized builds and repairs. 

 

Work will begin June 1, 2014, weather dependent, and FEMA and the State are targeting a completion date of Sept. 1, 2014. We will spend the next couple of  months making detailed plans for work sequencing, project management, supplies procurement, transportation, communication and recruiting volunteers. This response will demand skilled volunteers with experience in building and repairing homes. We will not be able to accommodate those who do not have these skills. 

 

The volunteers will receive round trip airfare to Fairbanks, AK, a charter flight to and from Galena, AK, and housing and food in Galena as part of the invitational travel. All tools, equipment and supplies will be provided by FEMA or the State of Alaska. 

 

The 82 volunteers that made the trip to Galena this summer accomplished a tremendous amount of work under difficult circumstances. Our goal is to make next summer's accomplishments even greater with less stress and better organization. 

 

I encourage you to spread that word and help us recruit the most qualified volunteers possible. There's a lot of work to do in a short period of time.

 

I will be the coordinator again next year. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.

 

Thank you for your support this summer and I look forward to your help next spring.

 

 

Jim Truitt UMVIM Disaster Response Coordinator
PNW Conference United Methodist Church
23441 147th Ave SE
Kent, WA 98042
253-630-1268 (H)
253-797-1680 (C)       Facebook.com/umvim.pnwumc
@PNWERT

 

FROM THE NORTH CENTRAL JURISDICTION UMVIM OFFICE

UPDATE ON TORNADO RECOVERY IN THE MIDWEST

 

 

 

The aftermath of the storms in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan is horrendous and the effected area is spread out - adding a different wrinkle to recovery efforts.

 

I just talked to Christy Blickensderfer in Illinois Great Rivers Conference office this morning (Nov 21).

 

• There are a few efforts around the different cities for cleanup - District ERT teams are working in Coal City, Gifford and Brookport by invite.
• The city of Washington, IL has been shut down, closed off - no one allowed in at this time  - they are reeling from the impact and need to set up their VOAD (Volunteers Active in Disaster) committees, system and plan.  They cannot handle volunteers yet.  Lots of conversations are occurring.
• llinois Great Rivers has many folks trained in ERT so the invite may not go out to other conferences, we wait  and see ... perhaps Washington, later.
• Continue to ask church members for health and cleaning kits and prayers and money.

 

The Northern Illinois e-news that just came in this morning has a great layout of four options for giving and information so I am just going to refer you to that.  Visit this webpage.

 

Jim Byerly, DRC for Indiana offers this note:" Indiana has 28 different tornado touchdown locations.  We are still assessing the situation, but as soon as I know more, I will let you know.  We gladly accept prayers, and  I hope to get more information out, probably Monday or Tuesday."