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Supplies, volunteers, communication needed following storms
The
entire state of Kansas was declared a federal disaster area on
12-12-07. This will allow FEMA to provide public assistance at this
time. This includes debris removal and actions taken to reduce or
prevent additional damage.
Columbus UMC is functioning as
an American Red Cross shelter, and this may continue for several more
days until power is restored to their area. They are requesting
volunteers to assist with cooking meals and other shelter operations.
They also need toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, disposable
drink cups (hot and cold) and plastic eating utensils.
Manhattan
First UMC is functioning as a warming site and also as the overflow Red
Cross shelter. They are requesting snack items for people who are using
their facility.
Steve Burnett, associate
disaster-response coordinator, has checked with the Kansas East
Conference insurance carrier, and they confirmed that church facilities
functioning as warming centers and providing meals are covered under
the liability insurance as long as they are not charging for these
services.
The
insurance carrier also confirmed that we do not have liability coverage
for shelter operations and that local churches should have an agreement
with the American Red Cross before starting any shelter operations. If
your church wants or needs to open as a warming center or shelter,
contact Julie Pohl at 785-989-3237 or 816-390-0324 prior to opening.
You must contact her by telephone as her e-mail is currently inoperable.
We
are expecting many areas will need assistance with debris removal and
clean-up as the weather allows. Any churches requesting assistance with
these or other disaster response needs should contact Julie Pohl at the
above phone numbers or Steve Burnett at srburn@bluevalley.net
or 785-410-0210. Each church should provide a contact person along with
their e-mail address and phone number so we can coordinate teams with
needs.
It would be very beneficial if each church would
keep us informed of their situation. Do you have power? Are you open as
a warming center or shelter? Have you identified any needs that we can
assist with? Do you have teams available or need teams.
Flexibility
is the important in responding to disasters. The situation and needs
change rapidly. The most important things you can do is to keep us
informed of your situation and needs and be prepared to help us respond
to ever-changing needs.
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