L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Training

On Friday and Saturday the Disaster Care Ministry at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church put on a Chainsaw Training seminar. The Training was led by Rev. Ed Br Brashier, the Executive Director of Shepard's Heart Disaster Care Ministry.

We had twenty people in attendance from seven area congregations. We had three hours of classroom training on Friday evening, followed by a morning of hands on training on Saturday. Those who completed the training received L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Certification.

Special Thanks to LCMS Disaster Response for Providing funds for Rev. Brashier to travel from Alabama to put on the training.

Arkansas Disaster Relief Servant Event

Disaster Relief Servant Event                          Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28

Peace Lutheran in Conway, Arkansas and Lamb of God in Flower Mound will be hosting a servant event in the Mayflower & Vilonia areas of Arkansas. Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with rebuilding tasks that include framing, roofing, painting, siding, fence building, etc.  Cleanup is complete. Housing/accommodations will be made available at Peace Lutheran Church. Age 16 and up is preferred. To register for this event please visit the LOG website and click on the Servant Event graphic.  Deadline to register is Tuesday, September 23^rd.

 

For more information please contact Steve Fruendt at disasterresponse@log.org

Include Your Pets in Your Disaster Plan

The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.
In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. If it's not safe for you to stay behind then it's not safe to leave pets behind either. Take action now so you know how to best care for your furry friends when the unexpected occurs.

Know a Safe Place to Take Your Pets

Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.)


Contact hotels and motels outside your local area to check their policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if "no pet" policies can be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with your disaster supplies.


Ask friends, relatives or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals.


Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.


Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets during a disaster.

Putting Together a Family Disaster Kit

September is National Preparedness Month. 

When disaster strikes, there is usually little time to assemble the items you need. This is why you should put together a family disaster kit.  Items you may need in your disaster kit will vary in different areas; however, you will want to include the following:
1.) A three-day supply of nonperishable food and water (one gallon per day per person)
2.) A change of clothing and footwear per person
3.) One blanket or sleeping bag per person
4.) A first-aid kit, including prescription medicines in original containers
5.) Emergency tools
6.) A battery-powered radio with extra batteries
7.) A flashlight with extra batteries
8.) An extra set of car keys
9.) A credit card or cash
10.) Special items needed for infants, the elderly or disabled members of your family
11.) Rubber gloves
12.) Any perscription medication
13.) Sanitation supplies

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the 
shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. Psalm 57:1

Reuniting You Family

September is Preparedness Month. If a disaster strikes your community, you should  have a plan to reunite your family.

Pick two places to meet: 1) a place outside your home for an emergency like a fire, and 2) a place outside your neighborhood, in case you can not return home. Pick a friend or relative outside your area as your "family check-in contact" in the event your family get separated, Make sure everyone has that phone number,

It is not to late to sign up for LERT Chainsaw training at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Arlington, TX. If you are interested in attending contact David Ricks at disastercare@bslc.net. The training will be from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday Sept 12 with one hour, hands on, small group training scheduled for Saturday morning (you will sign up for your time slot Friday night).

Pilger Update

The Disaster Care Ministry Sent a team to Pilger in early July to assist in cleaning up after the twin Tornadoes that devastated the town. This week Sherri, one of the team members returned to Nebraska on vacation. She stopped off at Pilger to deliver candlesticks and a check for an Alter Bible (or whatever else they might need) to St John's Lutheran Church.

As of this time they are still waiting for their temporary church building. One is being built specifically for their use. St John's has received enough money to rebuild the church building, however it will take at least a year to rebuild the church. They were pouring concrete for the parsonage the day Sherri Dropped by. Below are some of the photos  Sherri shared.

Pouring concrete for parsanage Basement

Salvaged Middle School entrance