Disaster response training offered at
First UMC, Portland, March 29

Early response training is scheduled March 29 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Celebration Center of First UMC, 4545 Wildcat Drive, Portland.
When a disaster occurs, the Southwest Texas Conference will form teams of six-to-eight certified people to spend 72 hours in a relief area. Our teams will come in after the winds have stopped and the floods subsided and go to the locations that need the most help.
The purpose of the Early Response Team is to:
> Assure victims that the church cares about them.
> Speed response to victims (usually older or disabled) who don’t have family nearby to assist them.
> Remove debris and make temporary repairs, reduce further damage, make the building safe and reduce health hazards to the victim. (Make it safe, sanitary and secure.)
> Observe victims’ needs and report these to relief leaders.
> Be part of the caring ministry of listeners who help the victims begin to heal.
You must be at least 18 to be certified as an emergency response worker. A six-hour training course will be required for all those wishing to be certified. Cost for the training is $30 and includes a training book, a T-shirt, a photo identification card and United Methodist Committee on Relief certification.
Upon completion of this March 29 class, participants will be certified to respond to disasters and help local churches and communities stabilize the area.
For more information contact Margot Porterfield at (361) 643-6072 or margot.porterfield@gmail.com. Participants must preregister by March 10 by filling out the form at right and mailing it to Margot Por-terfield, 204 Cypress St., Portland 78374, or e-mailing to the above address.

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