Episcopal Press and News
EAST TENNESSEE: Diocese releases manual to aid parishes in disaster preparation
Episcopal News Service. May 22, 2007 [052207-06]
The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee has compiled widely available resources into a new disaster preparedness and response manual, which is being distributed to the diocese's 50 parishes and worshiping communities.
The manual is also being made available to Episcopal and other faith communities by download here from the diocesan web site.
A team of laity and clergy worked for more than a year researching similar work in other Episcopal dioceses, in other denominations and by non-profit and governmental agencies, according to a diocesan media release. The team has distilled the materials into a manual that, when completed by congregational leaders, will serve as a tool for connecting individuals and guiding congregational response to a disaster or other emergency, the release said.
Included is a letter from East Tennessee Bishop Charles vonRosenberg who speaks to the need for parishes to think about and prepare for a disaster.
Congregational leaders are asked to name members of a parish response team; conduct a survey of potential risk in their community; consider communications needs; identify individuals who can be called upon to administer medical aid; assemble first aid and survival kits; create a plan to shut down and evacuate facilities; plan for spiritual support off-site; assist in preparedness of individual parishioners and the larger community; and determine insurance and other property needs.
One appendix addresses other considerations, including dealing with stress, caring for individuals who have special needs, and remembering to make accommodations for pets.
A second appendix contains -- on two-sided sheets designed for easy photo duplication -- tips on preparing or responding to specific disasters that might occur, from tornado to flood to fire to pandemic to a nuclear incident. While weather-related pages focus on events likely to occur in East Tennessee, most would be useful to churches in a much broader geographic area, the release said.
"Disasters can and do occur," vonRosenberg writes in his letter. "But if we prepare, we can face nearly any disaster backed by knowledge, skills and a network that will quickly and efficiently assess and address needs."