Do You Need an Electronic Survival Kit?

With the chance of severe weather in the area it is a good time to check and make sure your personal survival kit is ready to go. It is always a good idea to check your flash light, batteries and replace anything in your kit that might have expired.

In this day and age so many of us have become dependent on our electronic devises. Although it may not be for everyone, today we are asking “Do you need an electronic survival Kit? “ Many of us have all our contact information in are cell phones and using our electronic devices has become second nature. If a storm or other disaster takes away your electricity for a prolong period of time, or if you have to go to a disaster shelter will you be able to use your electronic devices?

An Electronic survival kit is not for everyone, but if you need it you will be glad you have it. What you put in your kit is up to you, but here are a few suggestions: 

   1.       A spare cord and wall plug for your cell phone. In an emergency you may not think about grabbing    what you need to charge your phone, or you may not be able to get to those items if your house is      damaged.

   2.       A USB Battery pack. If you normally go through the charge on your phone in an average day, you may find it useful to have a USB battery pack or spare phone battery. It is also a good idea to change your battery settings for minimum battery consumption to extend battery life.

   3.       110v Battery adapter (or USB car adapter). In a disaster your care can become a good sorce of power. An 110v battery adapter will allow you to plug in electrical devices. A USB car adapter will allow you to charge your phone.

   4.       Small power strip. If you end up going to a shelter, wall plugs may be in demand. Having a power strip will allow you to share power with others.

FIESTA Disaster Care Ministry Dinner and Silent Auction

Cell Phone Apps Useful in Disaster

With the evolution of the smart phone, people have a lot of resources at their finger tips. Why not make your smart phone a useful tool to help with disasters. Below I have listed a few cell phone apps you may find useful.If you click on the link it will take you to were you can download the app.

The American Red cross puts out a number of good apps useful before, during, and after a disaster.

 First Aid

The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. This emergency app prepares you for whatever life brings with videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice. Preloaded content means you have instant access to all safety information at anytime, even without reception or an Internet connection.

 Tornado

Tornado by American Red Cross app provides access to local and real-time information on what to do before, during and after a tornado, including an audible siren when NOAA issues a tornado warning even if your app is closed. Get your family and home ready for a tornado. The American Red Cross tornado app is the complete solution you need to understand and prepare for a tornado and all that comes with it.

 Wildfire

Be ready for a wildfire with Wildfire by the American Red Cross. Get notified about active wildfires, as well as fire weather warnings, prepare your family, home and pets, let loved ones know that you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an area that is susceptible to wildfires or has loved ones that do.

 Earthquake

Earthquake – American Red Cross app provides step-by-step instructions on what to do before/during/after an earthquake. Get notified when an earthquake occurs, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out.

 Hurricane

Be ready for severe weather with Hurricane by American Red Cross. Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do.

 Shelter View

When a hurricane or earthquake drives people from their homes, the American Red Cross steps in to provide shelter. This app maps locations across the U.S., and includes details such as the agency managing the shelter, capacity of the shelter and current population, the associated disaster event and the specific shelter address and location.

In addition there are a number of other good emergency apps.

 FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app contains preparedness information for different types of disasters, an interactive checklist for emergency kits, a section to plan emergency meeting locations, information on how to stay safe and recover after a disaster and a map with FEMA Disaster Recovery Center locations and shelters. 

 Hands Only CPR

To treat an adult suffering from cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association recommends hands-only CPR. No more mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But you still have to do it right. The official Hands-Only CPR app walks you through the two-step checklist: Call 911, then start chest compressions. A brief video shows you what to do.

Red Panic Button

Allows users to send their GPS location to pre-set emergency contacts with just one touch. If you’re caught in a dangerous situation, getting the word out might be a lifesaver. You just have to set a panic number or email address and the phone will send a message which contains your address and location.

 Life360

Life360 can help you find your loved ones, get safety alerts to them or call for help with the tap of a button. It also provides neighborhood safety monitoring. Lets you see family members’ locations and send text messages and emails to them.

 Pet First Aid

Emergencies happen not only to humans, but to animals too. Pet First Aid is loaded with detailed videos and step-by-step illustrations so you’ll know exactly what to do when caring for your pet. While GotoAid has some pet information, this one is devoted to it. Get detailed instruction on how to save your dog, cat, puppy or kitten in a medical emergency. In addition, you can store all of your pet’s pertinent medical information in this app.

 GoToAid

With a database of over 400 topics, interactive tools, and report generators, GotoAID brings immediate access to first aid information for you and your pets.  It also provides a full disaster preparedness section on what to do before, during and after a disaster.

Hopefully you will find some of these links useful.

Update on Illinois Tornadoes from LCC

Click Here to Donate to the LCC Disaster Relief Fund Click Here to Donate to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Travel Fund Update on Special Appeal from Last Friday - Tornadoes in Northern Illinois First, I want to thank all of you who have given of time and finances, plus those who came out to help. I wanted to give everyone an update as to where things are and what God has all been doing since the tornadoes that hit Fairdale, Rochelle, Kirkland, and surrounding areas. How do I describe it? Devastation - and a miracle more people were not injured or killed. The tornadoes hit around 7 pm on Thursday night. Joel Moritz and I were out there immediately that night to meet with victims in Kirkland. We met up with Pastor Jeremy Heilman from Trinity, Genoa. On Friday, LCC staff member Roger Pollock, Rev. Greg Hoffmann from St. Paul Rochelle, and I went to assess more of the area and damage. St Paul agreed to be a base of operation for LCC's Disaster Response teams and in deploying out our LCC Comfort Dogs. Saturday - we deployed over 275 volunteers plus 14 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers to help members of St Paul who lost their homes. We then went to assist others in their communities. Sunday - we met for worship at St Paul, then ate and deployed 150 volunteers to Rochelle, Kirkland, and Fairdale. Our LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs (13 plus handlers) also went out to be with families in Fairdale who lost everything. LCC provided financial assistance through St Paul Rochelle and First Lutheran in Kirkland to families who suffered loss. The work continues on - tomorrow we will be out with Comfort Dogs in various Red Cross locations (they called us and asked us to come in). We will continue to deploy work crews as requests come in. We will be here for some time - and will until it is all finished. It's what Christians do! There are so many touching stories on how God works in the midst of disaster - we will be sharing these in our newsletter on Wednesday. Click here for more pictures of God working in people's lives. Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue to provide the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who suffer and are in need. You can contribute by: Donating online: LCC Disaster Relief Fund  Donating by mail (please put "Disaster Relief" in the memo line): Lutheran Church Charities 333 West Lake Street Addison, IL 60101 Donate by phone: (866) 455-6466 Care Carding - Send a gift card and a message to someone in need - click here for more information  Tim Hetzner and the Disaster Response Staff

Volunteer - Northern IL Tornado - April 2015

Lutheran Church Charities is coordinating volunteers for groups and individuals wishing to help with the relief efforts in Northern Illinois. Individuals, independently or serving as part of a group, planning to help with cleanup must complete and submit the form below. Thank you for Making A Difference in God's Kingdom serving those in need in Illinois. Please call LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org with any questions.

Illinois Tornado Response Update from Rev. Michael Meyer

LCMS Responds to Illinois Tornadoes

LCC Disaster Response Assisting Following Yesterday's Tornado that Devasted the Small Town of Fairdale, Illinois

A message from Tim Hetzner

To donate to the Lutheran Church Charities relief effort Click Here

Fiesta

Join us for Fiesta Dinner & Silent Auction. Tickets $10 for Adults $5 children under 12

For tickets click here or contact David Ricks

The Disaster Care Ministry Dinner and Silent Auction

Fiesta

Come Join us on May 2, 2015 at 6:00 PM for a night of fun at as we raise funds for the Disaster Care Ministry of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.The dinner will begin at six with the viewing of Silent Auction Items occurring throughout the night.  Auction Items this year include a Wine Tasting for 20 people, a trip to Trinity Forest Adventure Park, Texas Rangers tickets, and much more. Net proceeds will go to assist those affected by disaster. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under 12 and can be purchased directly from David Ricks or online by clicking here. The Dinner will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5851 New York Ave. Arlington TX 76018.