Disaster Preparedness and Response

The mission of the Diocese of Virginia Disaster Preparedness and Response ministry team is to support the diocese, its congregations, homes, schools, camps and conference centers, and other institutions in efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any disaster that is a result of nature, industry, technology, or intention.

Keeping Churches Safe from Violence  Disaster Response & Relief

Preparedness

The Disaster Preparedness & Response team will attend regional and congregational events to discuss disaster vulnerability and assist in creating a simple and effective emergency response plan. They can also assist local congregations with establishing and maintaining credentialed relationships with local first responders. 

Response

In the event of a disaster, affected congregations and regions are encouraged to contact the Disaster Preparedness & Response team. Upon invitation (or request) the Disaster Preparedness & Response team will travel to affected areas to assist with immediate response and serve as liaisons to Episcopal Relief and Development. If needed, they can also assist churches with the FEMA/SBA recovery process. Read more about disaster response and explore resources. 

Resources

  • Check out this Parish Planning Template, which is a useful tool for parishes formulating contingency plans in the event of an emergency.
  • Ready to Serve is a volunteer database organized by Episcopal Relief and Development in order to quickly locate ready and willing volunteers in the event of a disaster.
  • See this Initial Contact List for suggested initial points of contact in Alabama, Colorado, and North Dakota.
  • Use this checklist to help determine the focus of and preparation necessary for a disaster relief mission trip.
  • Ready, launched by FEMA, is a website designed to help the public "Prepare, plan and stay informed" in the event of a natural disaster.
  • The Virginia Hurricane Preparedness Guide gives helpful tips on how to keep yourself and your family safe before, during and after a hurricane or tropical storm.