Disaster Preparedness & Response

About

The Committee for Disaster Preparedness and Response of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas works in collaboration with churches, the diocese, and local organizations to respond to disasters, to provide support for full and sustained community recovery, and to share disaster preparedness resources.

Disaster Preparedness Plans‍

‍The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and the commission recommend all diocesan churches and institutions utilize one of the three Preparedness Planning Guides provided by Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) as a first step towards disaster preparedness.

Disasters can occur at any time of year and may come with little or no warning. It is increasingly important for all diocesan institutions to have a preparedness plan in place before a disaster occurs, whether it is a hurricane, flood, fire, tornado, active shooter event, or other catastrophic occurrence. A disaster is an overwhelming experience, but there are actions individuals and churches can take ahead of time to help ease the process. All disaster recovery efforts benefit from a foundational level of preparedness.

After completing one of the disaster preparedness plans below, the diocesan Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Response encourages making a physical copy of the plan available in an easy to access and well-marked location. Educate staff and congregational leaders about the plan and its location. The committee also recommends storing a digital copy online, so that it can be accessed off-site.

• Comprehensive Plan: For use with the Facilitator's Guide, the Comprehensive Plan will help a congregation plan for a disaster, from taking inventory of physical and human assets to determining its niche in assisting vulnerable people in the larger community. The Comprehensive Plan will take between ten to fifteen hours to complete. The accompanying Facilitator’s Guide will help lead a team through the plan sections and prepare the team to use the plan it develops in an emergency. The Facilitator's Guide can be adapted for use with the other plans, too.
• Silver Level: The Silver Level Plan requires less time to complete, and still collects the necessary, basic information to protect parishioners and church property in times of disaster. It also helps congregations begin considering how to meet the potential needs of their most vulnerable neighbors.
• Bronze Level: The Bronze Level Plan will help gather the most basic information needed in times of disaster, for congregations and institutions that may not be in a position to complete the Comprehensive or Silver Level plans.

Proactively creating even the most basic disaster plan is critically important for our churches and schools.

Resources

• US Disaster Program Preparedness Resources: additional disaster preparedness resources for congregations and families are provided online by Episcopal Relief and Development
• Ministering to your Community After a Disaster: Children (Grades K-5); Youth (Grades 6-8); Teens (Grades 9-12); and Adults
• FEMA Checklists: Available in English and Spanish, to share with members of your congregation.
• Texas Ready Build a Disaster Kit provided by the Texas State Department of Health Services.

FEMA MAP SERVICE: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a large amount of valuable information the public can use. Someone facing an emergency that needs information on either a county or census tract level can FEMA's map service. Included are instructions to assist with using the tool.  This tool offers the ability  to investigate by county what potential weaknesses exist in preparedness, as well as to access a map with population information, inclusive of all weather warnings that demonstrate how extensive of an impact is possible.  

Connect

Disaster Preparedness & Response Committee Chair: Jason Louis
Email: jasonlouis@gmail.com

‍Social Media: DWTXDisasterRecovery