Early Response certification class slated for March 29 in Portland

After a natural disaster, teams of six-to-eight people from the Corpus Christi area will spend 72 hours on a relief site helping make homes safe, sanitary and secure.
Volunteers must be certified to help victims of disasters. Training is scheduled for March 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First UMC, 4545 Wildcat Drive, Portland.
Certification classes are sponsored by the Southwest Texas Conference Disaster Preparedness Committee and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
Early Response Teams:
> Assure victims that the church cares about them.
> Speed response to victims (usually older, disabled) who don’t have family nearby to assist them.
> Remove debris and make temporary repairs, reduce further damage, make buildings safe, and reduce health hazards to the victims.
> Observe victims’ needs and report these to relief leaders.
> Form part of the caring ministry of listeners that help the victims begin to heal.
The different team roles are team leader, assistant team leader, logistics, base camp manager, equipment manager and listener/team recorder.
All team members help to make the victim’s home safe, sanitary and secure regardless of their primary duties.
One must be at least 18 to be certified. Cost for the training is $30 and includes a training book, T-shirt, photo identification badge and official certification.
Contact Margot Porterfield at (361) 643-6072 or margot.porterfield@gmail.com for more information.