Disaster Response

Disaster Response is a ministry, not just an action to prepare for and mitigate disasters. Developing a disaster plan prepares any congregation for ministry. The Florida Conference Disaster Response Ministries provides experience, guidance and orientation. St. Luke's United Methodist Church is part of the Florida Conference Disaster Response, as well as part of the East Central District First Response Team. We have several people in the congregation who have been through training to know the proper steps in how to respond to a disaster. If you are interested and would like to be part of the team, please contact Carolyn Green at cgreen@st.lukes.org. "When the storms of life are raging, stand by me; When the storms of life are raging, stand by me; When the world is tossing me, life a ship upon the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me." (UMH 512)

Training Early Response Training St. Luke's has been coordinating this training through the Conference office in Lakeland. However, you can still participate in a Disaster Response Team without the training as long as one member of the team is trained in ERT. Contact us for information on how to sign up and get the application forms. Community Emergency Response Teams CERT training is a Homeland Security program coordinated through the Orange County Office of Emergency Management's Citizen Corps Council. The purpose of this program is to empower community members to care for themselves until additional help is available following a major disaster.  Visit CERT Florida’s website. Disaster Connection through United Methodist Church: www.umcor.org Haiti More...

Disaster Starter Kit The American Red Cross recommends the following ready-to-go four person supplies. Pack these items in a sturdy canvas backpack. 20 water pouches Packages of food bars (12 pack) 4 body/hand warmers 4 dust masks 4 ponchos 4 light sticks 1 flashlight with batteries 2 extra D batteries 1 AM/FM radio 4 AA batteries 2 whistles 1 2&1/2 gallon water jug 2 pairs leather pal gloves 1 gas shut off wrench 1 multi-functional tool 4 rescue blankets 1 family pillow first & kit 1 pry bar

What You've Done So Far This Year

Over $9,000 from St. Luke's was raised for the Japan earthquake and tsunami and over $3,000 has been donated for the tornadoes and floods that ravaged many US States this spring. Thank you for your generosity! Please do your part in getting ready here in Florida for this year's Hurricane Season.

Develop a Disaster Plan

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and winds.
• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricame hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.
• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured out in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
• Check your insurance coverage — flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit (72 Hour Kit).
• Use a NOAA Weather Radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
  

Websites for how to develop a hurricane kit and hurricane survival checklist:
http://www.wesh.com/weather/776961/detail.html
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Join the 2011 Disaster Team

We are looking for volunteers/servant ministers who are willing to be on one of four disaster teams.

Here's what you can doto continue giving

*Donate to US Spring Storms 2011
You can donate on-line http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?code=3021326, be sure to list St. Luke's as your local church as you fill out the information. Or you can write a check to St. Luke's and put in the memo "US Spring Storms" or use our Giving Kiosks. 100% of the money given through UMCOR goes directly to the affected area because of donations already given through our church to support the administrative work of UMCOR.

*Flood/Cleaning Buckets
St. Luke's will be one of the drop off sites for flood buckets for the East Central District. We will be collecting those ifromn June 20 - July 5 across from the gym. Here's a list of what is needed and how to assemble them. Please follow directions carefully.

Cleaning Bucket Kit Items
Value: $55 per bucket.

• 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
  Buckets from fast food restaurants or bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned.
  Do not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner.
  Advertisements on the outside are acceptable
   
• liquid laundry detergent
  (two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottles only)
   
• liquid household cleaner
  12-16 oz. liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water
  no spray cleaners
   
• dish soap
  16-28 oz. bottle, any brand
   
• 1 can air freshner
  aerosol or pump
   
• 1 insect repellant spray
  6 - 14 oz. aerosol spay pump with protective cover
   
• 1 scrub brush
  plastic or wooden handle
   
• 18 cleaning wipes
  handi wipes or reusable wipes
  no terry cleaning towels
  remove from packaging
   
• 7 sponges
  remove from wrapper
   
• 5 scouring pads
  remove from wrapper
   
• 50 clothespins
  remove from packaging
   
• clothesline
  two 50ft. or one 100ft.
  cotton or plastic
   
• 24 roll heavy duty trash bags
  remove from the box
   
• 5 dust masks
• 2 pair disposable kitchen gloves
  rubber or latex
  remove from packaging
   
• 1 pair work gloves
  cotton or leather

Assembling Directions
Place all liquid items in the bucket first. Place remaining items in the bucket fitting them around and between the liquid items. Sponges, scouring pads, clothespins and trash bags can be separated in order to fit all of the items in the bucket. Ensure the lid is closed securely.

Important Notes

• All items must be new except for the actual bucket and lid.
• All cleaning agents must be liquid and in plastic containers. No powders please.
• If you cannot find the requested size of a liquid item, use a smaller size. Including larger sizes of any item will prevent the lid from sealing.
• If all of the items on the list are not included, please put a label on the bucket indicating what has been omitted.
• Cleaning buckets are only used within the United States. They are not opened to verify the contents unless there is indication some items have been omitted.

Volunteers
Out of stat volunteers are not needed right now unless you have special early response training. However, rebuilding teams will be needed starting late summer. If you are interested in participating in one of these teams, please contact Carolyn Green at cgreen@st.lukes.org or (407) 876-4991 ext. 239.

Contact Carolyn Green via Email for more information.