Disaster Preparedness |
||
|
If the experience and knowledge gained from the last several years of hurricane activity has taught us nothing else in Florida, we should internalize the fact that the one common thread that appears in all the post-disaster evaluations is “we wish we had been better organized and prepared before the disaster struck”. Three major areas of preparation that are absolutely essential to survival are: 1) knowing what your parishioners needs are, 2) being fully stocked with supplies to wait out the initial chaos that ensues, and 3) locating your parishioners after the disaster to enable plans and help to be implemented. The Disaster Preparedness Team of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, in conjunction with the Florida Presbyterian Disaster Network, has developed several tools to accomplish these tasks. 1) Click here for the entire 49-page document, "Tampa Bay Presbytery Disaster Response Plan/Suggestions for Church Preparedness". Information about this plan was distributed at the September 28, 2006 Presbytery Meeting. The plan includes items detailed below. 2) How do Presbyterians (and the Presbytery of Tampa Bay) prepare and respond to hurricanes? Click here for an information-packed sheet that will lead you step-by-step through the process. Key contact information is included. 3) A Congregational Survey, including forms for Evacuees, Host Homes and Volunteers/Equipment, is available for downloading and printing (click here). This Survey will allow your church to gather useful information about your congregation in the event of a disaster, will allow you to match up and place families and individuals that need assistance into host homes and will provide a method of obtaining information on parishioners who have useful equipment and/or skills that can be employed following a disaster. Included is information on Host Home and Evacuee Responsibilities (click here). 4) It is recommended that each church have on file a Family Plan for each member of the congregation (click here). 5) A recommended Disaster Supplies List is also available (click here) detailing the supplies that you will most likely need immediately and that will be difficult to obtain. The second page of this list contains Emergency Management Numbers in a format that is easily printable on the back of the Disaster Supplies List. 6) For information on Emergency Operation Centers by County, click here. 7) Mapping Programs: One of the most difficult tasks following a disaster is finding those who need help. Streets are littered, signs are missing and familiar landmarks are damaged or destroyed. We strongly recommend that each congregation obtain a GPS location system that will develop detailed maps/directions and includes a GPS locator showing how to reach the home of each worshiper in the parish enabling rescue and aid workers to locate members and friends at critical, chaotic times. Information on several mapping programs that will be valuable in locating your congregation are available by visiting individual websites for these systems. Two widely-used mapping/GPS computer programs are Magellan GPS Navigation Systems (www.magellangps.com) and Microsoft Streets and Trips (www.microsoft.com/streets). Each will enable finding addresses by GPS rather than normal street signs and maps.
Return to Presbytery of Tampa Bay Home Page.
|
||
