Church Disaster Plan

If disaster strikes, will your church be ready?

Turn on the news on any day and you are bound to here about a disaster somewhere in the world. What happens if your church takes a direct hit from a disaster

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,  for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings  until the disaster has passed.     Psalm 57:1

It is important that we prepare our church to  the storm. There are nine parts to a Congregational disaster Plan. By preparing a plan before a disaster occurs the church will be better prepared to help its congregation and community if a disaster occurs.

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

• Your Congregation Needs to Appoint or Elect a Disaster Coordinator.
  Appoint or elect a member of the congregation to serve as your Disaster Coordinator. Have him become familiar with local emergency management leadership and be aware of interfaith organizations that would help in disaster.
• Have Contigency Plans for Worship

1. If your pastor becomes a victim of a disaster have plans for who can lead any service.
2. If you have a school plan for the posibility of incapacitated teachers.
3. Resume worship services as soon as possible.

• If facilities are damaged and can not be used, have an alternative plan for church funtions. Scout out possible alternative sites such as a school or another church where worship could be held and get an ideal of what they would cost to rent.
• Special services or prayer vigils can help members cope with Disaster.
• Know how to communicate any changes in location or time of worship servicesnecessitated by a disaster.
• Check On Your Members
• Have a plan in place to check on all members that might have been effected by the storm. Find out who was effected and what kind of help they might need. Work with your church body and other entities to help get affected members the help they need.

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

• Create an Evacuation Plan
1. Survey your building and determine the safest place for people to go if they are caught in your facilities in a storm. The best location will be an interior room on the lowest floor of your facilities. If you do not have an interior room, choose one with know windows.
2. Post clear directions on what to do and were to go in case of a severe storm/ tornado warning.
3. Develope an evacuation plan in case of fire. Have fire drills so your congregation is familiar with the plan.
4. Have a battery-operated radio (perferably a weather radio) and flashlight in an accessible area. If a church activety is going on during a severe storm or tornado watch, have someone monitor the weather.
• Post Emergency Numbers by Each Phone
• if you don't have 911 in your area), poison controll, the Chairman of the Board of Trusties or Properties, The Pastor, and your insurance provider.
• Protect Your Church Records

1. Put your inportant records in a fireproof safe or file cabinet. Do not keep money in this location. Ensure the safe is large enough to hold the kind of files you use to keep records
2. Use a safe deposit box to store important records that are seldom used such as deeds,insurance documents, and mortgage documents.
3. If the church keeps financial records and/or other vital church records, back up the data and store it off site in a safe place or store a backup on a reputable online back up system.

• Assign and Maintain a list of who, in case of disaster, is assigned to:

1. Secure loose items around the church.
2. Cover windows.
3. Take down and/or secure exterior swinging fixtures such as signs and lights.

• Should Disaster occur Have plans to:

1. Inspect the facil;ities quickly afterwards.
2. Make temporary repairs to protect facilities from additional damage.
3. Call your insurance agent.
4. Document the damage with pictures or video tape.

• 3. Train your Volunteer Staff

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical 

needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,is dead. James 2:15-17

1. Train Ushers what to do in case of emergencies such as a severe storm, fire or heart attack.
2. Train Sunday School teachers on how to handle children during an emergency
3. Offer CPR and first-aid classes at the congregation. Have members trained in CPR and first-aid present at all church events.

If you use the information from this Church Disaster Plan post you should be able to have a strong disaster plan for your church. 

For additional ingormation you can go to http://lcms.org/disaster/resources or http://www.txdistlcms.org/emergency.html