Conference Committee
Disaster Response (ERT)
Ministries of Faith in Action
Providing a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.
When natural disasters occur, the Desert Southwest Conference Disaster Response Team is ready to respond. Trained and equipped, teams deploy into the affected areas to tarp roofs, muck out flooded homes, and remove debris making homes safe and secure for the survivors.
Our primary mission is “to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.” (UMCOR) To accomplish this mission, we receive training in disaster relief and deepen our commitment to serving others in need.
Not all have the capacity to deploy, however, teams need persons who hold them and the survivors in prayer. Others are needed to fund the purchase of supplies used by the team, the maintenance of the response trailer, and the expenses for the deployment. To donate, please follow this link: https://dscumc.org/secure/dsc-early-response-team-ert-donation.
Team leaders must be ERT trained first.
News & Events
UMCOR and CWS launch new menstrual hygiene kits
Originally published at https://umcmission.org/july-2022/umcor-and-cws-launch-new-menstrual-hygiene-kits/ Media Contact: Dan Curran for Global Ministries/UMCOR 770-658-9586 The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Church World...
Disaster Response Teams Active in Mission
By Rev. Tom Mattick With fires, floods, and disasters amid the COVID pandemic, the Desert Southwest Conference Early Response Teams are actively engaged in relief efforts. In June, as many as 14 persons went to Globe, AZ to assist the Salvation Army and other...
ERT readiness for Hurricane Ida
By Rev. Tom Mattick You have likely watched as Hurricane Ida made landfall yesterday and in its wake left catastrophic damage. This morning, I sent an email to Bob Deich, the Louisiana Coordinator of Disaster Response assuring him of our prayers as he assesses the...
It’s fire and flood season – here’s what your church do to help
2020 and 2021 have seen perhaps the greatest number, intensity, area, destruction, and property damage of any fires in known history – not only in the U.S. but around the world. Firefighters, state and federal agencies, and disaster networks in Northern California,...
Responding to Disasters
The Desert Southwest Early Response Team (ERT) has responded to disasters outside and within the bounds of the annual conference. The next training event is August 11 in Prescott, Arizona.
Fire Relief Buckets and ERT Ash Sifters are needed
By Tom Mattick, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, and Polly Turner, ERT Trainer With the fires in the town of Bagdad, we are reminded of the fire risks associated with the drought and the devastation they can cause to properties and structures in their...
Early Response Team Training – September 2, 2021
ERT mission teams respond to natural disasters across the country, bringing Christian presence of hope when a home has been damaged. We remove debris and salvage belongings to create a safe, sanitary, and secure home. Other times we work in a disaster center helping them make necessary decisions or meeting their special needs. We work with many other religious, government, and secular organizations to mitigate their losses.
ERT Deployment to Louisiana
We received a request for ERT assistance in Louisiana around the Lake Charles area devastated by flooding. Our bishop has approved our deployment. The principle work is tarping, debris removal and mucking houses.
To deploy you need a current UMCOR ERT badge (expiration date is printed on the badge). As your current badge is expired according to our records, you will need to complete a recertification class. Polly is planning to offer a refresher class as the team deploys, if that is your need. Also, an online class will be offered at time to be determined.
Masks from UMCOR for Desert Southwest Conference UMC
In May, Rev. Tom Mattick who chairs our Conference Disaster Response team, shared an email with me that UMCOR had notified all annual conferences of the availability of more than 172,000 cloth facial coverings infused with copper and silver. The masks came from...
Disaster Response Team Acts during COVID-19
In a time of stay-at-home orders, troubling statistics, and vulnerable populations, UMCOR and the conference Disaster Response Committee are deploying resources . UMCOR donated more than 80,000 masks stored at the Sager Brown Depot to first responders in Louisiana....
Contact
Rev. Tom Mattick
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and ERT Trainer
Polly Turner
ERT Trainer
Billie Fidlin
Director of Justice & Outreach Ministries
Call Tom at 702-806–4009
Call Polly at 480-861–9033
Contact Disaster Response
Donate to ERT supplies and scholarships
Resources
ERT Guidance for COVID
Short Description
Brotherhood Mutual
Advice about COVID-19
Advance #982450
International Disaster Response
Advance #901670
USA Disaster Response
Disaster Response Invitation Video Download
Share this video at your church to promote ERT participation and training.
Become an ERT
3-copy handout about the process.
Sager Brown Shipping Label
Select to download
Flood or Clean Up Buckets
Need some help putting together your clean up kit for UMCOR?
Clean up Bucket Supplies
Select to view and download the list.
Making a Flood Bucket Kit
Select to watch
