Ednet 84290 Quick Installation Manual

A Q uick T ip G uide f or R esponse t o D isaster a nd C rises
for P arishes i n t he E piscopal D iocese o f U pper S outh C arolina
Jayne C risp, C TS, E DUSC a nd f ormer Episcopal R elief a nd D evelopment D isaster C oordinator
The purpose of a disaster response plan is to assure the viability of the parish, its associated ministries
and i ts a ssets. T he e mphasis o f t he p lan s hould b e o n p re-­‐disaster p lanning a nd r ecovery. T o d o n othing i s
not a responsible action for the leadership of the church. During times of disaster, we may be in the
affected area and need help ourselves. If not, we may be able to offer help to others. The Episcopal
Diocese of Upper South Carolina plans to be prepared to both receive help and offer help. This practical
Quick Tip Guide will provide guidance to the Diocese and parishes in the development of their own
policies and procedures for whatever situation may arise.
When a disaster occurs, clergy and parishes should communicate with the Diocesan Office through the
Canon for Communications, Carrie Graves, as well as the Diocesan Disaster Relief Chair and ERD
Coordinator, The Rev. Tim Ervolina. Should communications be down or the Diocesan Office relocated,
disaster response information will be communicated in the best way possible depending on the
circumstances.
Advantages o f t he c hurch's r esponse t o a d isaster o r c
Faith leaders and laypersons have established relationships with congregation members. They
have frequently cared for individuals and families through normal developmental crises and
periods o f s tress.
Faith l eaders a nd l aypersons h ave t he a dvantage o f i mmediacy a nd a ccess.
Faith leaders and laypersons have credibility and access to other resources such as community
agencies a nd o rganizations.
Houses o f w orship c an d raw f rom a t eam o f m embers t o s upport s urvivors.
Houses of worship have space. Many houses of worship have large buildings, kitchens, meeting
spaces, g yms, d ay c are centers, p re-­‐schools, a nd s anctuaries t hat m eet c ritical n eeds i n a c risis o r
disaster.
Many houses of worship have access to trained volunteers and youth workers who can provide
pastoral c are, f eeding u nits, a nd o ther p ractical h elp i n a n e mergency.
Trained f aith a nd l ay l eaders c an h elp m eet t he s piritual a nd r eligious n eeds o f v ictims i n t he
aftermath o f c risis, a nd c an a ssist i n r esponse t o s piritual q uestioning a nd e xploration a s w ell a s
reconciliation o f b eliefs
Pre-incident p lanning
1. Collaborate a nd p artner w ith o ther h ouses o f w orship, m embers o f t he f aith c ommunity a nd
trained v olunteers.
a. Develop a l ist o f r esources ( include c hurches) t hat c an s upport o r p rovide b asic n eeds t o
affected i ndividuals a nd f amilies w ith s uch a ctions a s h elping w ith e mergency s helter, f ood,
information, h ome r epair, c ommunication a nd p rayer.
b. Identify r esources t hat w ould b e a vailable t o a ssist e specially v ulnerable p opulations s uch
as:
EDUSC Q uick T ip D isaster G uide/8.2017
prepared b y
risis
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