The Diocesan Disaster Preparedness and Response Team continues to meet with Mississippi convocations to discuss information in a newly published disaster preparation and response booklet.
Each parish and mission is given a copy of the newly published disaster preparation and response booklet which provides information on how to prepare for a crisis situation. The booklet can also enables a church to respond quickly to other churches or areas that need help after a disaster strikes.
Team representatives have traveled to the Coast, Tombigbee, Old River and Central Convocations so far. Meetings with the Northern, Delta and Sowashee Convocations are planned.
“At these meetings we go over what is in the booklet and emphasize filling out the critical pages with specific details so churches may know, and the diocese may know, who to call and what to ask for in the event of an emergency,” said the Rev. Deacon Carol Spencer, co-chair of the Team with the Rev. Scott Lenoir.
The team acknowledges that no one enjoys doing this kind of work because no one likes to think about a disaster; however, Mississippi has had its share of disasters and specific planning will enable more effective relief work.
The Disaster Preparedness and Relief booklet is available for download on the Diocesan website at this link, Episcopal Disaster Preparedness Planning Guide. It is hoped that every parish and mission will fill out the necessary pages, especially the pink copies that are forwarded to the diocesan office.
“The Diocese seeks to be an effective support system in the event of a crisis,” said Spencer. “We can only do that if we have the data from our parishes and missions in Mississippi.”
Spencer noted that this preparation and response work enables the Diocese to receive more disaster relief grants on both local and national levels.
“So please help us. Fill out the pink sheets of the booklet and turn them in,” said Spencer.
According to Spencer, disaster preparation and response boils down to two words: resource identification."Resource identification on both a local and statewide basis is what the team members are busy collecting and collating in hopes of never using the data, but having peace of mind that it is there should we need it."
