Emergency Preparation and Response

1. Emergency Preparation and Response Ward Council & Specialists Training

2. September 11, 2001World Trade Center And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. . .

3. September 2005 … and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8) Hurricane Katrina

4. Worldwide Disasters Repeated warnings have been given that destructive events will occur in our lifetimes: D&C 1:12 – Prepare for that which is to come D&C 1:17 – Calamities D&C 29:16 – Hailstorm D&C 45:31 – Disease D&C 63:33 – Wars

5. Levels of Preparation Individual Preparation Family Preparation Ward Preparation **** Stake Preparation Multi-Stake Preparation Area Preparation Church Preparation

6. Member Responsibilities • Individual members and their families have the primary responsibility for emergency preparation, including: • Family evacuation and meeting plans • Important documents • Storage of basic foods, water, clothing, and first aid supplies • Storage of fuel, if possible • Maintenance of financial reserves • Reporting to ward leaders https://www.lds.org/topics/ emergency-preparedness

7. Ward Emergency Response Plan • Ward Plan in the event of an emergency • Prepared by Ward Welfare Committee • Under direction of Bishop • Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist called to assist • Updated periodically • Ward Em Planning Guide: • https://providentliving.lds.org/bc/ • providentliving/content/emergency response/PD10052395_000 Emergency Response Guide[1].pdf

8. Ward ResponsibilitiesPlanning • Develop emergency preparation and response plans that include: • Ways to encourage members to prepare for emergencies • An inventory of ward members with emergency related skills and equipment • Plans to help those with special needs • Communication plans (directories, maps, assigned responsibilities, etc.)

9. Emergency Response Plan Possible Local Disasters • Pandemics • Flash Floods • Extreme Temperatures • Thunderstorms/Lightning • Earthquakes • Hazardous Material Incidents • Radioactive Waste Incidents • Acts of Terrorism

10. Emergency Response Plan Impact of Disasters on the Infrastructure • A disaster has a cascading effect which impacts infrastructure • Transportation • Electrical • Communications • Water • Fuel Supplies • Air Contamination

11. Emergency Response Plan Ward Emergency Response Team • Bishopric • Ward Welfare Committee Members • - High Priest Group Leader • - Elders Quorum Presidency • - Ward Mission Leader • - Relief Society Presidency • - YM & YW Presidency • - Primary Presidency • Ward Emergency Response Specialist • Ward Emergency Communications Specialist • Ward Clerks

12. Emergency Response Plan Ward Em Preparedness Specialist • Prepares Ward Em Response Plan • Creates lists of ERT and ward members Contact Phone numbers • Surveys Members for Emergency related Skill and Equipment • Creates list of members with special needs • Creates Map showing Members location • Creates list of Emergency Phone Numbers

15. Map showing Member’s homes

16. Member’s Homes Index

17. Emergency Phone Numbers

18. Emergency Response Plan Fill Positions based on immediate needs

19. Emergency Response Plan Areas of Responsibility • High Priests • - First Aid • - Transportation • - Home Teaching reporting tree • Elders Quorum • - Search & Rescue • - Home Teaching reporting tree • Ward Mission Leader • - Sheltering

21. Emergency Response Plan Ward Em Communications Specialist • Prepares Ward Em Communication Plan • Transmit Ward Status & Plans to Stake • Receives Messages from Stake • Utilizes Radio in GW Clerk’s Office • Coordinates Communications for Ward Leaders: (FRS, GMRS, Frequencies) • Coordinates Frequencies with Stake ECS

22. Emergency Response Plan Alternative Communications • Internet (email, social media, Skype) • Text message (cell phones) • Amateur Radio (radio GW Clerk’s Offc) • Family walkie-talkies (FRS, GMRS) • Personal Contact via foot, bicycle, etc • Full time missionaries available to help

23. Emergency Response Plan Radio Recommendation • In case all normal communications are down • Ward Leaders are recommended to purchase personal HT (handheld) radio (Baofeng82hp; inexpensive, durable & 4 bands) • Ward Em Communications Specialist will program them with standardized frequencies and train members on proper use of HT radios

24. Emergency Response Plan Minor Disaster Activation • Bishop: contacts Ward Em Response Team and activates Ward Emergency Response Plan • Start a telephone tree • Report back to Bishop, status of ward members • Send out Home Teachers, or other members, to check on those not able to contact

25. Emergency Response Plan Major Disaster Activation • Determine Impact of Local Disaster • Determine Response to Disaster • - Evacuation - Shelter in Place - Local Response • Bishop: activates Ward Em Response Plan • Bishop: contacts Ward Em Comm Specialist, ECS • Ward ECS: contacts Emergency Response Team • Meet at Em Response Center (G/W meetinghouse) • Prepare Ward Em Response Plan • Assigns individuals to specific areas of responsibility

26. Emergency Response Plan Ward Emergency Action Plan (EAP) • Decide on Objectives for Response to Emergency (ICS 202) • Set Priorities • Assign People & Resources to meet each Objective (ICS 204) • Ensure a Record is kept of Important Activities (ICS 214)

27. Emergency Response Plan Planning Process

28. Emergency Response Plan Planning Process

29. Emergency Response Plan Planning Process

30. Emergency Response Plan Planning Process

34. Ward ResponsibilitiesDuring an Emergency • Cooperate with civil authorities both in planning and in responding when disasters occur • Respond to instructions or counsel from civil authorities and Church leaders • Assess the needs of members and conditions of Church facilities • Address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people • Request Church resources as needed • Report needs and conditions to Church leaders

35. Emergency Response Plan Report to Area Rep via Stake President • Name, title and unit of the reporting officer • How the presiding officer can be reached • Description, location and magnitude of the emergency • Numbers of members injured, missing, or dead • Location and extent of damage done to Church or member property • Actions being taken to help those in distress • Needed assistance that is unavailable locally

36. Coordination During Emergencies

37. Use of Church Buildings “With the approval of a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, Church buildings may be used as shelters, feeding stations,… during emergencies. Stake and ward council members ensure that those using the buildings maintain Church standards of conduct, including the Word of Wisdom, when they are in the buildings.” (Handbook of Instructions, Book 1, Section 5.1.3)

38. Emergency Response Plan General Guidelines • Most preparations should be done well in advance of a situation. • We are first responsible for the safety and welfare of ourselves and our families. • Police, fire, and other emergency personnel are in charge of directing volunteer efforts. We are there to supplement their efforts. • When we are able to assist others, we must respect their privacy, their property, and their decisions.

39. Safety Is In Obedience “The Lord has warned and forewarned the members of His Church against future tribulations and has given counsel, through His servants, on how to prepare for difficult times. Such tribulations may include civil turmoil, ethnic strife, war, pestilence, famine, and natural (Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Apr. 1943, 129). disasters.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is ever alert to such calamities, both to help its people prepare and to be of service to those who become victims.”