Our office offers many opportunities to prepare for disaster and the long term recovery efforts that follow. Available courses can be found below, and may be scheduled for your local church and community. For more information, or to schedule a training, contact the Office of Mission, Service and Justice.

UPCOMING TRAINING

June 15 - ERT Training - Learn more and register here by June 10

ERT Training
​Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence.

ERTs are not a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams. Under very specific guidelines, ERTs assist survivors, without causing further harm or being a burden to the affected community.

Come learn about where United Methodists are involved during a disaster, how do we get prepared for a disaster, what we can do when a disaster strikes. You will learn about the roles Early Response Teams plan in the early days after a disaster:

• Provide a Christian presence, be a part of the caring ministry of listening.
• Take steps to prevent further damage to a family’s personal property: tarps, flood clean-out, debris removal
• Help manage donated materials, gather information, or do other things needed in the community
• Observe survivor’s needs and report those to the local disaster operations
  ​

The time to think about this training is now, before the next disaster strikes. Under the UMCOR system, early responders cannot help unless they are trained. Included in the ERT training is an UMCOR Verified Volunteers background check. We will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and dismiss at 4 p.m. Your $35 registration will include lunch, materials and t-shirt.

Already trained in ERT? How about a ERT200 class?

​Subjects include: 

1. Leadership
2. Safety
   
3. Mucking out
   
4. Tarping
   
5. Spiritual Care

Chainsaw Training
The use of chainsaws after a disaster is important and dangerous work.  The conference recommends that those committed to volunteer in this vital capacity be highly trained. 

One organization that has a multi-day certification is MFPA. Please check their website for upcoming classes.