North Georgia Conference Disaster Response Ministry: Last Minute Checks

1. Destination: Know where you are going and what church or agency you will be supporting. Don't leave before this information is determined. Hopefully, you will have some idea of what you are doing. Keep in mind flexibility as needs can change daily.

Virginia Conference	-
North Carolina Conference (MERCI)	1-919-739-9167
South Carolina Conference (Billy Robinson)	1-803-539-8429 (C)
Florida Conference	1-800-282-8011 ext 149
Alabama-West Florida Conference	1-866-340-1956
Alabama Conference	1-877-273-5018
Mississippi Conference	1-866-435-7091, 7092, 7093
Louisiana Conference	1-877-345-5193
Louisiana Conference	1-877-345-5193
Louisiana Conference	1-877-345-5193
Louisiana Conference	1-877-345-5193
Texas Conference (3)	http://www.txcumc.org/ikevolunteer

2. Communications Sent an email to contact@ngdisasterresponse.org before you leave and when you return for prayers for you and reporting so the next team has current information. Also, keep the Conference informed of where you are. There are reports that have to be made to governmental units on a daily basis.

3. Read Home Page For teams that go, be sure to read all the situation reports and news about the area to which you are going.

4. Training: Know what your training and experience will allow you to do or not do. A disaster scene is not the place to have an injury. Team leaders review the liability traps from your training and be sure to react accordingly if one occurs. Training also provides you with credentials.

5. Conference Credentials: In the initial days after a disaster and later in some areas with extensive damage, there will be roadblocks. Those with the proper reasons (destination, contact there, agency there, etc.), documents (pass, work order, etc.), and credentials will be allowed to proceed. Others will be sent back.

6. Medical Situation at Destination: Current Tetanus/diphtheria vaccine or booster, if the most recent vaccine or booster was 5 years ago or more on other issue as well as food and water. Pack a well-stock first aid kit accordingly.

Texas: Current tetanus vaccine or booster is required. Along the coast hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. West Nile virus has been a problem along the Texas coast around Galveston; so take lots of repellant and apply frequently. Sleeping quarters should be protected by screens or inside. There have been reports of alligators and water moccasins. More Information

For more information

7. Medical information sheets: A sheet for each team member should be in the hands of the team leader before departing Form.

8. Medical insurance: All team members without medical insurance are required to have trip medical insurance which can be obtained from the UMVIM office, Decatur, Ga. Fill out team roster form first Form. Insurance arrangement can be made by phone 404-377-8182 or fax 404-377-7424 if time is short.

9. Taking extra supplies: Contact John Ulmer (770-778-0591) or Mike Yoder (404-497-2137) for pick up arrangements.

Flood Buckets: In terms of river flooding obtaining some of the flood buckets from the Conference Storage Center would be helpful. For salt water flooding, they would not be needed.

Personal Hygiene Kits: These kits are welcome anywhere that there is a disaster. (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand washcloth, etc.)

10, Nightly Debriefing: The entire team should participate and thus insure that someone doesn't bring home the disaster with them. This is particularly true for Early Response Teams and well into the Relief Stage. This is not necessary for during the Recovery Stage.

11. Early Response Teams are Self Sufficient. Check for the following.

Water: Sufficient water for each team member considering team member weight and the temperature that you will be experiencing (See Intro training document appendix).

Fuel: Fuel (gasoline, diesel) in properly safe containers for all vehicles with team. Fuel should cover 35 miles in and out (70 miles) plus travel in disaster area and some idling with backed up 4-way stops. Don't forget cooking fuel (propane, charcoal, etc.). Take care in filling tanks from gas pump to avoid static sparks. Assume all gas stations and stores will be closed in the disaster area.

Food: Enough for the entire trip less travel time plus a day minimum, if room some to share particularly for lunches. Don't forget the 10-2-4 breaks and something for them.

Shelter: Arranged housing even if a building hallway or a tent or tents for team

Communications: A portable radio may provide useful information, two way radios with multiple channels or a CB radio are useful when traveling with two or more vehicles, and a portable short wave radio with a licensed operator for each team is the best choice. Assume that local phones and cell towers will be initially down or overloaded. There will be a first response effort to get one radio station up and broadcast disaster news and updates.

Power: Assume that there will be no power initially. Bring a portable generator if needed for tools. When traffic lights are out, the 4-stop procedure, even without signs, is mandatory. Avoid any chances that might cause a traffic accidents in a disaster area. Police officers don't have the time and won't be nice.

Weather: Appropriate gear and housing location for type of weather such as rain storms after a hurricane

GPS: For large disasters, road signs may be gone and some roads blocked. A GPS is very helpful in these situations when trying to get to a certain address. Oftentimes the church or agency, will provide Mapquest or Google maps to the work order destination.

Supplies: Bring enough rolls of plastci, tarps, tarping nails, 1x2, and plastic to handle most of your needs. If Federal declaration, FEMA will provide at some point.

Equipment: In addition, to tools bring whatever supplies will be needed (chain saw: chain lub oil, sharpen file, extra chain, and oil/gas mixture.

Security: Nighttime watch to prevent looting of food, fuel, and tools. Oftentimes, this service is provided by the church or agency that you are working with. Still be sure to lock vehicles, tool boxes, trailers, and trailer hitches etc. In some areas, this might be a problem while you are working.