Friday, October 12, 2007
UPDATE
The previous post was from David Lowe of the Parker Colorado Stake with an example of their emergency response plans. Procedures and processes may differ in your stake. We are close to having the new simplified plans and templates ready to go on the Provident Living website provided by the church.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Ward and Stake ERP Plans
Attached are samples of Ward and Stake ERP Plans that can be adapted to your own area. You should modify the disasters for your specific location. You may be able to obtain the specific threats for your area from your County Emergency Preparedness Office.
In a seperate document called an ERP Appendix you may want to give specific information and expand each of the nine sections described below.
(Your Ward Name Here)
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Last Updated - April 2007
1. The disasters likely to occur and probable actions needed to respond to each.
THUNDERSTORMS / LIGHTENING
WINTER STORMS
EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES
FLASH FLOODING
TORNADOES
WILDFIRES
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS
COUNTY EMERGENCY ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
· Be aware of severe weather forecasts:
If severe weather is being forecast for your area, LISTEN TO OR WATCH THE NEWS.
During these times, look for updates 2-3 times a day.
· Listen for severe weather warnings:
1. Keep the radio or TV tuned to a news channel during severe weather days.
2. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio. Weather alert radios can provide immediate notification of severe weather or other emergencies by activating a tone when a watch or warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
· Prepare for severe weather before it strikes:
Some severe storms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important to learn and recognize danger signs and plan ahead.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Severe Weather.
2. Assignment of priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities during a response.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities.
3. Maps, addresses, and contact information for Church members.
· See the current copy of the Stake Membership Directory.
Ward Membership Clerk will update this ERP on a Quarterly basis. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Maps, Addresses and Member Contact Information.
· Each ward will need to also account for the following:
ALL Missionaries living within the Ward Boundaries
ALL members of Singles Wards living within the Ward Boundaries
Special note should be made of members visiting Friends and Relatives during an emergency
4. The procedure for immediately accounting for missionaries and Church members following a disaster.
· After the Stake President (See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Priesthood Lines of Authority) has activated the Stake Emergency Communication System by notifying the Stake Communications Specialist or the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist the Ward will begin contacting its members through the Ward Communications Network.
· The Ward Communications Specialist will activate the Ward Emergency Communications Net.
(In the event the Stake President chooses NOT to activate the Stake Emergency Communications Hams Net, all communications will be conducted by phone via Priesthood Lines of Authority.)
· Ham Radio Operators assigned to Bishops and Priesthood leaders will contact the priesthood leaders to which they are assigned via telephone, radio (Ham, CB or FRS) or in person to obtain the status of the ward according to the seven bulleted items found in the Church Welfare Resources Handbook, Part 3, Preparing for Emergencies, Leadership and Reporting, Pg 14.
· The Ward Communications Specialist will notify the District Neighborhood Coordinators who will then contact the Neighborhood Block Captains to obtain the status of those members within their Neighbor Block GeoCode.
· The Bishop may choose to activate the Ward Emergency Communications Network as necessary. The ward Communication Specialist should contact the District Neighborhood Coordinators who should contact the Neighborhood Block Captains.
· It must be assumed that individuals who have Emergency Communications Responsibilities as well as families affected by the emergency or disaster will automatically come “On Line” as any disaster or emergency situation arises. This includes monitoring their radios when weather or other community or area alerts are issued.
· Neighborhood Block Captains should receive reports from the families within their individual GeoCode blocks. They should help in coordinating resources within the area of their responsibility. Families are counseled to safeguard their families first then look toward giving aid and assistance to their neighbors.
5. A list of Church members with special needs and how they may be assisted in an emergency.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated monthly. A copy should be forwarded to the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
6. How emotional trauma of members might be relieved following a disaster.
· Priesthood leaders in conjunction with the Relief Society, Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers should have lots of empathic engagement with all those victims of an emergency situation, including those who are helping with the emergency as facilitators.
· Leaders should not overidentify with survivors nor take on the survivors feelings as their own. Taking ownership of others’ problems will only serve to compound the stress of facilitators.
· Leaders and facilitators should be alert to signs of trauma in victims as well as themselves so that steps can be taken to alleviate stress.
· It is appropriate for Priesthood leaders to organize special firesides, Family Home Evenings and other meetings as deemed appropriate. Individual priesthood blessings should be administered as appropriate.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Emotional Trauma.
7. Church members who are medically trained, operators of heavy equipment and trained in emergency response procedures who may be useful in disaster response.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated monthly. A copy should be forwarded to the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
8. How Ward leaders without regular telephone service will contact the Stake Leaders following a disaster.
· Bishop will contact the Stake Ham Radio Network. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Radio Frequencies.
9. Contact information for government, the Red Cross, and other agencies active in emergency response.
To notify authorities of an EMERGENCY CALL 911
For Emergencies Involving - Public Health, Public Utilities, Electric and Gas Service CALL 911
· Police Department
Phone No. ______________
· Fire Department
Phone No. ______________
· Town Phone No. ______________
· County Sheriff’s Department
Phone No. ______________
· County Emergency Services
Phone No. ______________
· Red Cross
Phone No. ______________
· Bishops Storehouse
Phone No. ______________
Shelters designated by the County in our area are located at:
(Your Stake Name Here)
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Last Updated - March 2007
1. The disasters likely to occur and probable actions needed to respond to each.
THUNDERSTORMS / LIGHTENING
WINTER STORMS
EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES
FLASH FLOODING
TORNADOES
WILDFIRES
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS
COUNTY EMERGENCY ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
· Be aware of severe weather forecasts:
If severe weather is being forecast for your area, LISTEN TO OR WATCH THE NEWS.
During these times, look for updates 2-3 times a day.
· Listen for severe weather warnings:
1. Keep the radio or TV tuned to a news channel during severe weather days.
2. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio. Weather alert radios can provide immediate notification of severe weather or other emergencies by activating a tone when a watch or warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
· Prepare for severe weather before it strikes:
Some severe storms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important to learn and recognize danger signs and plan ahead.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Severe Weather.
2. Assignment of priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities during a response.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities.
3. Maps, addresses, and contact information for Church members.
· See the current copy of the Stake Membership Directory.
Stake Membership Clerk will update this ERP on a Quarterly basis. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Maps, Addresses and Member Contact Information.
· Each ward will need to also account for the following:
ALL Missionaries living within the Ward Boundaries
ALL members of Singles Wards living within the Ward Boundaries
Special note should be made of members visiting Friends and Relatives during an emergency
4. The procedure for immediately accounting for missionaries and Church members following a disaster.
· The Stake President (See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Priesthood Lines of Authority) will activate the Stake Emergency Communication System by notifying the Stake Communications Specialist or the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
· The Stake Communications Specialist will activate the Stake Emergency Communications Hams Net
(In the event the Stake President chooses NOT to activate the Stake Emergency Communications Hams Net, all communications will be conducted by phone via Priesthood Lines of Authority.)
· Ham Radio Operators assigned to Bishops and Priesthood leaders will contact the priesthood leaders to which they are assigned via telephone, radio (Ham, CB or FRS) or in person and report the status of the ward according to the seven bulleted items found in the Church Welfare Resources Handbook, Part 3, Preparing for Emergencies, Leadership and Reporting, Pg 14.
5. A list of Church members with special needs and how they may be assisted in an emergency.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated from Ward ERP’s.
6. How emotional trauma of members might be relieved following a disaster.
· Priesthood leaders in conjunction with the Relief Society, Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers should have lots of empathic engagement with all those victims of an emergency situation, including those who are helping with the emergency as facilitators.
· Leaders should not overidentify with survivors nor take on the survivors feelings as their own. Taking ownership of others’ problems will only serve to compound the stress of facilitators.
· Leaders and facilitators should be alert to signs of trauma in victims as well as themselves so that steps can be taken to alleviate stress.
· It is appropriate for Priesthood leaders to organize special firesides, Family Home Evenings and other meetings as deemed appropriate. Individual priesthood blessings should be administered as appropriate.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Emotional Trauma.
7. Church members who are medically trained, operators of heavy equipment and trained in emergency response procedures who may be useful in disaster response.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated from Ward ERP’s.
8. How stake leaders without regular telephone service will contact Church headquarters following a disaster.
· Stake President will contact the Bishops’ Storehouse using the Stake Ham Radio Network. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Radio Frequencies.
9. Contact information for government, the Red Cross, and other agencies active in emergency response.
To notify authorities of an EMERGENCY CALL 911
For Emergencies Involving - Public Health, Public Utilities, Electric and Gas Service CALL 911
· Police Department
Phone No. ______________
· Fire Department
Phone No. ______________
· Town Phone No. ______________
· County Sheriff’s Department
Phone No. ______________
· County Emergency Services
Phone No. ______________
· Red Cross
Phone No. ______________
· Bishops Storehouse
Phone No. ______________
Shelters designated by the County in our area are located at:
In a seperate document called an ERP Appendix you may want to give specific information and expand each of the nine sections described below.
(Your Ward Name Here)
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Last Updated - April 2007
1. The disasters likely to occur and probable actions needed to respond to each.
THUNDERSTORMS / LIGHTENING
WINTER STORMS
EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES
FLASH FLOODING
TORNADOES
WILDFIRES
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS
COUNTY EMERGENCY ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
· Be aware of severe weather forecasts:
If severe weather is being forecast for your area, LISTEN TO OR WATCH THE NEWS.
During these times, look for updates 2-3 times a day.
· Listen for severe weather warnings:
1. Keep the radio or TV tuned to a news channel during severe weather days.
2. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio. Weather alert radios can provide immediate notification of severe weather or other emergencies by activating a tone when a watch or warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
· Prepare for severe weather before it strikes:
Some severe storms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important to learn and recognize danger signs and plan ahead.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Severe Weather.
2. Assignment of priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities during a response.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities.
3. Maps, addresses, and contact information for Church members.
· See the current copy of the Stake Membership Directory.
Ward Membership Clerk will update this ERP on a Quarterly basis. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Maps, Addresses and Member Contact Information.
· Each ward will need to also account for the following:
ALL Missionaries living within the Ward Boundaries
ALL members of Singles Wards living within the Ward Boundaries
Special note should be made of members visiting Friends and Relatives during an emergency
4. The procedure for immediately accounting for missionaries and Church members following a disaster.
· After the Stake President (See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Priesthood Lines of Authority) has activated the Stake Emergency Communication System by notifying the Stake Communications Specialist or the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist the Ward will begin contacting its members through the Ward Communications Network.
· The Ward Communications Specialist will activate the Ward Emergency Communications Net.
(In the event the Stake President chooses NOT to activate the Stake Emergency Communications Hams Net, all communications will be conducted by phone via Priesthood Lines of Authority.)
· Ham Radio Operators assigned to Bishops and Priesthood leaders will contact the priesthood leaders to which they are assigned via telephone, radio (Ham, CB or FRS) or in person to obtain the status of the ward according to the seven bulleted items found in the Church Welfare Resources Handbook, Part 3, Preparing for Emergencies, Leadership and Reporting, Pg 14.
· The Ward Communications Specialist will notify the District Neighborhood Coordinators who will then contact the Neighborhood Block Captains to obtain the status of those members within their Neighbor Block GeoCode.
· The Bishop may choose to activate the Ward Emergency Communications Network as necessary. The ward Communication Specialist should contact the District Neighborhood Coordinators who should contact the Neighborhood Block Captains.
· It must be assumed that individuals who have Emergency Communications Responsibilities as well as families affected by the emergency or disaster will automatically come “On Line” as any disaster or emergency situation arises. This includes monitoring their radios when weather or other community or area alerts are issued.
· Neighborhood Block Captains should receive reports from the families within their individual GeoCode blocks. They should help in coordinating resources within the area of their responsibility. Families are counseled to safeguard their families first then look toward giving aid and assistance to their neighbors.
5. A list of Church members with special needs and how they may be assisted in an emergency.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated monthly. A copy should be forwarded to the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
6. How emotional trauma of members might be relieved following a disaster.
· Priesthood leaders in conjunction with the Relief Society, Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers should have lots of empathic engagement with all those victims of an emergency situation, including those who are helping with the emergency as facilitators.
· Leaders should not overidentify with survivors nor take on the survivors feelings as their own. Taking ownership of others’ problems will only serve to compound the stress of facilitators.
· Leaders and facilitators should be alert to signs of trauma in victims as well as themselves so that steps can be taken to alleviate stress.
· It is appropriate for Priesthood leaders to organize special firesides, Family Home Evenings and other meetings as deemed appropriate. Individual priesthood blessings should be administered as appropriate.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Emotional Trauma.
7. Church members who are medically trained, operators of heavy equipment and trained in emergency response procedures who may be useful in disaster response.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated monthly. A copy should be forwarded to the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
8. How Ward leaders without regular telephone service will contact the Stake Leaders following a disaster.
· Bishop will contact the Stake Ham Radio Network. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Radio Frequencies.
9. Contact information for government, the Red Cross, and other agencies active in emergency response.
To notify authorities of an EMERGENCY CALL 911
For Emergencies Involving - Public Health, Public Utilities, Electric and Gas Service CALL 911
· Police Department
Phone No. ______________
· Fire Department
Phone No. ______________
· Town Phone No. ______________
· County Sheriff’s Department
Phone No. ______________
· County Emergency Services
Phone No. ______________
· Red Cross
Phone No. ______________
· Bishops Storehouse
Phone No. ______________
Shelters designated by the County in our area are located at:
(Your Stake Name Here)
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Last Updated - March 2007
1. The disasters likely to occur and probable actions needed to respond to each.
THUNDERSTORMS / LIGHTENING
WINTER STORMS
EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES
FLASH FLOODING
TORNADOES
WILDFIRES
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS
COUNTY EMERGENCY ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
· Be aware of severe weather forecasts:
If severe weather is being forecast for your area, LISTEN TO OR WATCH THE NEWS.
During these times, look for updates 2-3 times a day.
· Listen for severe weather warnings:
1. Keep the radio or TV tuned to a news channel during severe weather days.
2. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio. Weather alert radios can provide immediate notification of severe weather or other emergencies by activating a tone when a watch or warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
· Prepare for severe weather before it strikes:
Some severe storms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important to learn and recognize danger signs and plan ahead.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Severe Weather.
2. Assignment of priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities during a response.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding priesthood and Relief Society responsibilities.
3. Maps, addresses, and contact information for Church members.
· See the current copy of the Stake Membership Directory.
Stake Membership Clerk will update this ERP on a Quarterly basis. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Maps, Addresses and Member Contact Information.
· Each ward will need to also account for the following:
ALL Missionaries living within the Ward Boundaries
ALL members of Singles Wards living within the Ward Boundaries
Special note should be made of members visiting Friends and Relatives during an emergency
4. The procedure for immediately accounting for missionaries and Church members following a disaster.
· The Stake President (See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Priesthood Lines of Authority) will activate the Stake Emergency Communication System by notifying the Stake Communications Specialist or the Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
· The Stake Communications Specialist will activate the Stake Emergency Communications Hams Net
(In the event the Stake President chooses NOT to activate the Stake Emergency Communications Hams Net, all communications will be conducted by phone via Priesthood Lines of Authority.)
· Ham Radio Operators assigned to Bishops and Priesthood leaders will contact the priesthood leaders to which they are assigned via telephone, radio (Ham, CB or FRS) or in person and report the status of the ward according to the seven bulleted items found in the Church Welfare Resources Handbook, Part 3, Preparing for Emergencies, Leadership and Reporting, Pg 14.
5. A list of Church members with special needs and how they may be assisted in an emergency.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated from Ward ERP’s.
6. How emotional trauma of members might be relieved following a disaster.
· Priesthood leaders in conjunction with the Relief Society, Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers should have lots of empathic engagement with all those victims of an emergency situation, including those who are helping with the emergency as facilitators.
· Leaders should not overidentify with survivors nor take on the survivors feelings as their own. Taking ownership of others’ problems will only serve to compound the stress of facilitators.
· Leaders and facilitators should be alert to signs of trauma in victims as well as themselves so that steps can be taken to alleviate stress.
· It is appropriate for Priesthood leaders to organize special firesides, Family Home Evenings and other meetings as deemed appropriate. Individual priesthood blessings should be administered as appropriate.
· See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Emotional Trauma.
7. Church members who are medically trained, operators of heavy equipment and trained in emergency response procedures who may be useful in disaster response.
· This list will be maintained as an appendix item and updated from Ward ERP’s.
8. How stake leaders without regular telephone service will contact Church headquarters following a disaster.
· Stake President will contact the Bishops’ Storehouse using the Stake Ham Radio Network. See the Appendix for Specific information regarding Radio Frequencies.
9. Contact information for government, the Red Cross, and other agencies active in emergency response.
To notify authorities of an EMERGENCY CALL 911
For Emergencies Involving - Public Health, Public Utilities, Electric and Gas Service CALL 911
· Police Department
Phone No. ______________
· Fire Department
Phone No. ______________
· Town Phone No. ______________
· County Sheriff’s Department
Phone No. ______________
· County Emergency Services
Phone No. ______________
· Red Cross
Phone No. ______________
· Bishops Storehouse
Phone No. ______________
Shelters designated by the County in our area are located at:
EmPrep & EmComm Job Descriptions
Since there are no actual guidelines for job descriptions for the Emergency Preparedness (EmPrep)and Emergency Communications (EmComm) Specialists I created them for the Parker Colorado Stake.
If these are useful to you please feel free to use them.
Ward Welfare Committee Specialists
Ward Emergency Preparation Specialist
Responsible for maintaining and keeping the Ward Emergency Response Plan up to date on a monthly basis and teaching the Ward Welfare Committee their duties in relation to the Ward’s Emergency Response Plan. This individual should have had extensive experience in church priesthood leadership both at the ward and stake level. The Ward Emergency Preparation Specialist will work closely with the Bishopric, Priesthood Leaders, Relief Society, Ward Emergency Communications Specialist and the Stake Emergency Preparation Specialist.
Ward Emergency Communications Specialist
Responsible for ward communications as outlined in the Ward Emergency Response Plan Appendix, Sections 4 & 8.
4. The procedure for immediately accounting for missionaries and Church members following a disaster.
8. How Ward leaders without regular telephone service will contact the Stake Leaders following a disaster.
This individual needs to be a licensed ham radio operator capable of carrying out the duties as outlined in the Ward Emergency Response Plan Appendix. The Ward Emergency Communications Specialist will work closely with the Bishopric, Priesthood Leaders, Relief Society, Ward Emergency Communications people and the Stake Emergency Communications Specialist.
Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Job Descriptions
Ward Emergency Preparation Specialist
It will be the responsibility of the Ward Emergency Preparation Specialist to receive training from the stake counterpart and to disseminate this information to the Ward Welfare Committee leaders. Specific training sufficient to carry out the Stake and Ward Emergency Response Plans should be given to the Bishopric, Priesthood and Relief Society Leadership so that they are fully familiar with the plan and their responsibility in carrying it out. The Ward Emergency Preparation Specialist may be called upon to give specific training to Priesthood and auxiliary members along with others who may be called to positions of responsibility for execution of the Ward and Stake ERP.
This individual is also responsible for keeping the Ward GeoCode System information current, assigning families to specific GeoCodes and coordinating Neighborhood Block Captains with the Bishop.
The Ward Emergency Preparation Specialist should also see that the Ward ERP is kept up to date and appropriate information is sent to the Stake on a monthly basis.
In the event of an emergency or disaster this individual is a resource to Priesthood leadership in the specific details of the Ward ERP.
Ward Emergency Communications Specialist
It will be the responsibility of the Ward Emergency Communications Specialist to receive training from the stake counterpart and to disseminate this information to the Ward Welfare Committee leaders. Specific training sufficient to carry out the Stake and Ward Emergency Response Plans should be given to the Bishopric, Priesthood and Relief Society Leadership so that they are fully familiar with the plan and their responsibility in carrying it out. The Ward Emergency Communications Specialist may be called upon to give specific training to Priesthood and auxiliary members along with others who may be called to positions of responsibility for execution of the Ward and Stake ERP.
The Ward Emergency Communications Specialist should also see that the Ward ERP is kept up to date with regard to Licensed Ham Radio Call Signs and the assignment of Ward FRS Frequencies on a monthly basis. The Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist will then forward this information on to the Stake along with the rest of the monthly changes.
This individual is responsible for seeing that the Ward Emergency Communications system works and that radio relay stations as appropriate have been assigned. This person is also required to keep the neighborhood Ward Communication System information current, making sure that Neighborhood Block Captains are kept abreast of families who may be moving in or out of the Ward.
In the event of an emergency or disaster this individual is a resource to Priesthood leadership in the specific details of the Ward Emergency Communications Plan. This person assigns Licensed Ward Ham Radio Operators to shadow the Bishopric and Priesthood leaders in the event of an emergency or disaster.
This individual will also see that the Ward Communications Network functions and that appropriate individuals are assigned to allow for simplex coverage throughout the Ward.
The Ward Emergency Communications Specialist is the person who will see that all of the necessary requirements for Ward communication with the Stake are able to be accomplished.
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