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Over the last few years, there have been few things as predictable as how unpredictable natural disasters might be. Instead of a well-defined hurricane season, we’ve seen hurricanes before and after the typical season and other storms that do as much damage as hurricanes strike with little to no warning. This shift in our weather has led to increased focus on preparedness and how we can work even during blue skies (what we call the times between disasters) to be better equipped to respond when a disaster strikes. May begins an emphasis on preparedness with National Hurricane Preparedness Week May 1-7, and Impact Disaster Response is inviting your church to join in preparing for what responses may come this year.
We began this season with a leader summit, inviting disaster response leaders to meet and plan so we can increase our capacity to respond and offer opportunities for training and response in the coming months. We identified key areas where we can ensure we are prepared and churches and volunteers are able to be part of the response. We are renewing emphasis on hands-on training opportunities, helping churches form the local relationships they’ll need to respond if disasters strike their own community, and we are rolling out the tiny home initiative for hands-on training and engagement of churches and volunteers. We see the Tiny Home Initiative as one of the best opportunities we have to engage volunteers who can’t always serve at a moment’s notice but want to be part of Disaster Response.
In the coming months, volunteers will be able to engage in hands-on training in several of our disciplines. The first opportunities will be in feeding through Impact Mission Camps. We will have feeding units providing meals at three locations this summer and will need volunteers both to serve the meals but also to train so they can deploy if a disaster requires feeding this year. These camp feeding opportunities are excellent for learning on actual DR equipment and learning the process without the chaos of a disaster. You can learn more and sign up for those opportunities at our Disaster Training Page. There is no cost for volunteers to participate, and disaster-style housing is provided.
We are also finalizing the plans for disaster Tiny Homes that we debuted at BGAV annual meeting in Abingdon. We are developing architectural plans and a materials list and anticipate being able to build the first homes this summer. Impact Disaster Response and the host churches/associations will share the cost of materials, and each home will be available for quick deployment to disaster sites as either temporary housing for families or a new permanent home depending on their need. We’re thrilled to offer this opportunity for churches to partner and engage volunteers locally to be part of the disaster efforts. We will continue to update progress at our Tiny Home Page.
We know that the best way to respond effectively during a disaster is to have the relationships we need already established. At the state level, Impact Disaster Response has cultivated relationships with VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), VDEM (Virginia Department of Emergency Management), and a variety of statewide partners like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others. We have also learned a lot about relating to local emergency management and want to help churches form those relationships directly. We are working with local emergency managers on how to facilitate those relationships and would love to help your church connect with your local leaders. We would love to help your church make those connections. If you’re interested in forming those relationships, we recommend starting with this resource, which can help you get answers to the questions they are likely to ask and then reaching out to us if you’re interested in deeper conversation with local emergency management leadership.
We recognize that it is impossible to anticipate every need and respond perfectly. But we know that the more we do on the front end to prepare, the better equipped we will be to respond when disaster strikes and share the love of Christ with the people we serve. We’re grateful for your willingness to be part of this disaster response ministry, and we’re ready to help you prepare so that you can be the center of the community should the need arise.