Disaster Plan Defines Roles and Responsibilities
The Lutheran Disaster Response Ohio (LDR Ohio) Preparedness Plan represents a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities of Lutheran expressions of church partnering in disaster response in Ohio. This plan was adopted by the Coalition of Ohio Lutheran Agencies (now known as Lutheran Services in America Ohio. LSA Ohio is a coalition of affiliated or recognized Lutheran social ministry organizations, Ohio synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Ohio District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS). LSA Ohio has appointed the nine-member LDR Ohio Coordinating Committee with representation from each region, judicatory and LSA Ohio to implement and monitor the Ohio Preparedness Plan. The hope and promise of the plan and its implementation is that through a coordinated effort, Lutheran disaster response in Ohio and the corresponding mission of the church might be more effectively delivered.
Mission
The mission of Lutheran Disaster Response is to bring God’s gift of hope and healing to a disastrous situation. Lutheran Disaster Response is the outcome of expressions of the Lutheran church (congregations, districts, synods, and social ministry organizations) working interdependently. In addition, Lutheran Disaster Response recognizes and honors the efforts of other community resources and seeks to avoid duplication in meeting needs. It is the intent of Lutheran Disaster Response not only to be present at the time of crisis, but also to be present throughout the stages of disaster recovery. Lutheran Disaster Response seeks to serve Lutheran congregations and their members as well as the wider community.
Declaring a Disaster
A disaster can result from a wide range of events, such as a flood, fire, drought, violent act or accident. For the purposes of disaster preparedness, naming the potential causes of disaster is not as important as determining the scope of disaster along with assessing community response resources. For if community resources are present to meet the challenges of the disastrous event, then the level of disaster response has been established. In other words, if a tornado hits an area and community resources are in place to respond to the need, then broader mobilization of Lutheran Disaster Response is not necessary.
An assessment process is implicit in a community’s determination of response to a disaster. When a disaster occurs, the church needs to be present as a symbol of God’s presence and as part of the process of assessment and determination. Throughout Ohio, representatives of the church with disaster experience will be identified to consult with church representatives at the scene to decide when resources are present to respond to the disaster. Congregations, the district and synods are uniquely deployed throughout the state to be the church’s presence in the community. District and synod leaders, vice-presidents or assistants to the bishop are key communication links in disaster response. Local pastors can consult with them for area response and referral to identified resources. In that process of consultation, the decision can be made concerning the need for a broader declaration of disaster in order to access other areas of response: regional, national, LSA, etc.
The Roles of Church Partners
- Congregations
Congregations should have in place an organizational disaster preparedness plan, which includes identified shelter, resources, agreements, equipment and evacuation procedures. Congregations need to be committed to maintain a safe facility and to respond when their community is in distress. That response involves not only contacting their own members who may be affected, but also to recognize the reality of the disaster in preaching and in mobilizing congregational and church response. In the event of a community disaster, the pastor and/or congregational leader should consult with district/synod staff in assessing damage and planning response. District/Synod staff may refer to an identified area leader to assist. In the process of congregational mobilization of Christian care, the effect of disaster response on children should be remembered. Congregations also need to be aware of local community resources and coordinate disaster response accordingly.
- District/Synod Leadership
Again, the district and synods need to have an organizational disaster preparedness plan, which includes identified shelter, resources, agreements, equipment and evacuation procedures. Their primary role is to care for congregations, pastors and/or congregational leaders. That care involves response consultation, training, presence and access to supportive resources. The district and synods are uniquely organized to cover the state and to provide ongoing support for professional leaders. Disaster preparedness planning, training and communication should be part of that support. Faithful stewardship will require the district and synods to coordinate resources to avoid unnecessary duplication.
- Social Ministry Organizations
Lutheran social ministry organizations provide a variety of direct services on behalf of the church at many locations throughout the state. These services may or may not fit the need of a particular area disaster. In most cases, social ministry organizations are required to have a disaster response plan. The resources social ministry organizations can bring to a disaster vary. Generally, social ministry organizations have fundamental operational resources necessary for responding to people in need. These resources include office space, communications, fiscal accountability, knowledge, contacts, human resources, etc. If needed, social ministry organizational resources could be mobilized to establish disaster response coordination for a disaster of broader scope.
- National Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is a consultation resource in disaster declaration. In addition, on a national level, Lutheran Disaster Response marshals resources from all over the country to focus on a local event. Those resources are financial, goods, services, experience and counsel. Local Lutheran Disaster Response staff is never hired on a national level, rather local social ministry organizations become the employer and supervisor for local coordination.
Clergy and professional church leaders have a variety of interests and gifts. Naturally, in response to a community disaster, they focus and bring a gospel word of hope and healing to human suffering and despair. In all cases, they need to provide leadership in times of disaster including presence, assessment and mobilization of resources. Initially, they need to assess the situation and consult with district/synod leaders to determine the next step of Lutheran Disaster Response. In some cases, clergy/professional church leaders have advanced levels of experience, passion and knowledge with Lutheran Disaster Response. They may have standing with community resources including unmet needs committees. These leaders need to be regionally positioned as a consultation resource for disaster declaration and response.
Initial and Ongoing Disaster Preparedness Training
Once established, a shared disaster preparedness plan needs to be communicated throughout the state and revised on a periodic basis. Each disaster experience will provide an advanced level of learning and hopefully the blessing of additional disaster preparedness. The plan needs to be a visible part of clergy/professional leadership orientation and discussion. The district/synod is best structured to include disaster preparedness planning and training in their schedule of leadership contacts. Part of planning and training includes identifying the resources available in each area for disaster response.
Key Committees in Disaster Preparedness and Response
- LDR Ohio Coordinating Committee
A coordinating group has been established to review the plan on an ongoing basis, monitor implementation, evaluate results and encourage local development of participation with community partners and unmet needs response development. The committee will also consult and coordinate the formation of a steering committee as needed. Members of this coordinating committee include representatives from each Ohio synod of the ELCA, the Ohio District LC-MS and LSA Ohio as well as ex-officio participation from Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Disaster Response and the fraternal organization.
- Steering Committee
Once a disaster of sufficient scope is assessed and declared, a steering committee may be formed by judicatory representatives to organize response. This committee is comprised of representatives of the Ohio District LC-MS, the local Ohio synod ELCA, congregations, fraternal and the social ministry organization in the area. Lutheran Disaster Response national staff may also be consulted and involved accordingly. The identification of a response coordinator is often a first order of activity for the steering committee. Other important activities include affirming understandings related to communication, fundraising and financial management.
- Long Term Recovery Committees
Each area is encouraged to develop an interfaith Long Term Recovery Committee, comprising of community partners. These groups review case presentations of individual and family needs arising from a disaster. As a result, response is organized and ministry is accomplished. These groups are a significant piece in timely disaster response.
