25 Kerrville District UMs take early disaster-response training

Twenty-five Kerrville District United Methodists learned Aug. 11 how to deliver quick help to neighbors affected by disasters.
The training at St. Paul’s UMC, Kerrville, followed guidelines from the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
The class taught volunteers how to help residents make their homes safe, sanitary and secure in the days after a storm or flood. Jobs include removing soggy carpet, patching the roof and clearing debris from the yard.
“I’m a pretty handy guy with tools, “said Larry Martin of First UMC, Johnson City, “but they still taught me some things about disaster work that I hadn’t thought of, like the right and wrong ways to tarp a hole in the roof.”
The 25 graduates are being assembled into certified Early Response Teams. They can be called to action within days of a disaster, such as flooding this summer.
“If the rule of five applies—you have to call five people to find one who’s available at the moment—that’s enough to field one new ERT,” said George Barnette, Kerr-ville District disaster-response coordinator.
Teams will be alerted as soon as a disaster happens. After people are rescued and safe—usually within two days of an event—teams move in.
Early Response Teams make temporary repairs. Permanent work has to wait until after federal and insurance damage assessments are finished.
“What we’ll do is stabilize the structure so the damage doesn’t get worse and make it safe for the residents to work in it—even live in it—while they’re awaiting the damage assessors,” said Bunny Johnson of First UMC, Johnson City.
“For the family trying to figure out what to do first, these teams make all the difference. By pitching in with real hands-on help, they turn the family’s despair into hope, and set them—mentally and physically—on the road to recovery.”
In addition to the Kerrville District, the Southwest Texas Conference has trained early-response volunteer teams in the Austin, Corpus Christi and San Antonio districts.