Disaster Plan of Action

Action Plan

Prayer Center has organized a Planning Committee/Team

The Committee is planning with the Following Assumptions in Mind:

Utility services may be unavailable for extended periods (i.e., electricity, water, and gas).
Telephone service may be interrupted.
Police, fire, paramedics, and 911 responses will be overrun the first 3 to 5 days after a major disaster. Do not expect their help, initially.
There will be serious problems with transportation. Road closures will occur.
People will largely be “on their own” in the initial days following a major disaster.
Congregation may be limited to working only with the resources within the immediate neighborhood.

Committee Responsibilities & Mission

Prepare the facility to survive a disaster.
Ensure the continuity of pastoral services and care to members.
Assist members in their preparation for and recovery from disaster.
Decide what roles Prayer Center leadership will play in response to disaster.
Provide services/resources to help members and community recover from disaster.
Ensure facility safety measures and adequate supplies.
Create an evacuation plan.
Create a communications plan.
Encourage personal preparedness.
Establish recovery and service continuity Plan.

Provide pastoral care and support to disaster victims (members and community).

Prayer Center east is designated as the “Command Center”. This will be the central location where everyone will meet in the event of disaster and you have nowhere to go, and no communication is available.
There will also be homes throughout the city, which will be places of refuge for those in need who may not be able to get to PC-East.

If there is communication, each Prayer Center member will have a phone list of numbers and who to contact. These phone numbers should be kept in your emergency kit, or another easy accessible location.

Family Preparedness – How to Prepare?

Get an Emergency Supply Kit. Each family member should have their own kit. It should be portable and located near an exit of your house. Do not overload your kit, because you may have to carry it long distances to reach safety or shelter. Kit should include non-perishable food, water, battery powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights and batteries, medication, medical supplies, bedding, clothing, sleeping bags, pillows, bottled water, first aid kit, copies of important documents, driver’s license, social security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc. Keep a light source in the top of your kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark. Personalize each kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.

Make a Family Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Inquire about emergency plans where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. Be sure to consider the specific needs of your family members. Notify caregivers and babysitters about your plan.

Be Informed. Listen to local officials. Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.

Have a Supply List (suggested list):

Water – 3 to 5 gallons of water stored for sanitation and drinking.
Food – 72 hour supply of food.
Warmth and Shelter - windproof/waterproof matches, second method to start a fire, tent/shelter, wool-blend blanket or sleeping bag, emergency reflective blanket, lightweight stove and fuel, hand and body warm packs, poncho.
Light Sources – Flashlight with batteries, candles, light sticks.
Tools – Pocket knife, shovel, hatchet or axe, sewing kit, 50-foot nylon rope.
First Aid – First aid kit and supplies, burn gel and dressing, bottle of potassium iodide tablets.
Communications – Radio with batteries or radio with alternate power sources, whistle with neck cord.
Personal Sanitation – Personal comfort kit (include soap, toothbrush and gel, comb, tissue, sanitary napkins, razor), and other needed items.
Extra Clothing – A complete outfit of appropriate clothing for each family member. Include extra socks, underwear, hat, sturdy shoes, and gloves.
Money – At least $20 in your kit. Be sure to include quarters for phone calls.
Important Papers – Copies of documents important to your family (such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, insurance forms), phone numbers you might need, credit card information.
Stress Relievers – Games, books, hard candy, bible, inspirational reading. For small children: small toys, paper and pen, favorite security items.
Additional Items – Extra food, camp stove, mess kits and other cooking equipment, sun block, insect repellent, portable toilet, snake bite kit, special medication or other needs.
Portable Container – Durable water resistant duffel bag, frame pack or day pack.
Prepare Now – Prayer Center is encouraging each family to begin to prepare NOW.

Prayer Center’s Plan of Action

We are encouraging every family to begin planning now if you have not already.
We are encouraging each family, individual and student of Prayer Center to make sure we have your contact information (i.e., phone numbers and email).
We are encouraging families and individuals to sign-up to host people in your home as soon as possible, so we will know how many homes are available and ready in the event of sudden disaster.
Prayer Center east will be the central “Command Center” for members, families and students of Prayer Center.
We will have families throughout the City who will host those in need.
We will provide assistance to families who host people in their homes.
We will set up several means of communication (i.e., Twitter, AT & T, Ham Radio, Face Book, Cell Phones, Website, etc.).
We will distribute a phone list to each member, individual, and student of Prayer Center. This list will indicate “Group Leaders’ names, their numbers, members’ names, and numbers.
Those who will be designated as “Group Leaders” during this time will serve as direct points of contact for information and direction to those in their group.
Please let us know if you are willing to serve in some capacity. We will have a sign-up sheet for those who want to serve.
We are working hard to make sure that each family of Prayer Center will have all basic necessities.
Prayer Center is also working with the City Planning Committee, to ensure the safety and well-being of each person in Cleveland, and Bradley County should our City encounter a sudden disaster.