Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief

http://www.tnbaptist.org/page.asp?cat=miss&subcat=relief

Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief   is a cooperative, volunteer ministry of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and its affiliated churches.  It is totally dependent upon volunteers who give of their time, energy, talents and finances to assist others in a time of disaster.  The ministry is led by the State Director, an employee of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.  He and one administrative assistant are the only employees working primarily with Disaster Relief.

 Within Tennessee, there are over 7,600 trained volunteers from churches and associations who are ready to respond to a disaster of any size any where.  Many of these churches and associations own and operate their own equipment. Beyond Tennessee, our state cooperates with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and 42 other state conventions that have similar ministries.  At the national level, Statements and Memorandums of Understanding are in place with American Red Cross (ARC), The Salvation Army (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Angels of Mercy (AOM) and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).  Because of these agreements, TN Baptist Disaster Relief is normally one of the first to respond with Disaster Relief services during a time of crisis.

Services that can be provided during a disaster response:

Recovery Teams (Over 70 units with equipment)

• Chainsaw Teams
• Clean-up Teams
• Mud-out Teams

Mass Feeding

• 1 state unit capable of preparing 30,000 - 50,000 meals per day
• 2 associational units capable of preparing 12,000 – 15,000 meals per day
• 5 associational units capable of preparing 5,000 – 10,000 meals per day

Childcare Services

• 1 state unit with equipment to utilize in carrying for 80 children at one time

Counseling Services

• Crisis Intervention Services
• Chaplaincy Services
• Pastoral Care

Rebuilding and Recovery

• Damage Assessment
• Rebuild and repair

 Water Purification Unit

• 1 State Unit capable of purifying 100 gallons of water a minute

Showers

• 7 Association/Church Units with a total of 32 shower heads 

Laundry for Victims

• 3 units with a total of 6 washers and 9 dryers

Transportation

• 2 Refrigerated trailer units

Communication Services

• Command and control unit with satellite phone technology
• Trained HAM operators with equipment

Volunteer Requirements:

Because of agreements with national agencies and organizations, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has the following requirements for volunteers: 

1. Must be a member of a Tennessee Southern Baptist Church.
2. Must be at least 18 years of age.
3. Must have satisfactorily completed the training course, “Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.”
4. Must complete an application and be approved for service.
5. Certain units may require criminal background checks (e.g. Childcare unit).
6. Certain responsibilities may require background checks, motor vehicle checks and special licensing requirements.  (e.g. driver for any state equipment)
7. For the communications group (SouthBears), a Technician Class or higher radio amateur license is required.  For some positions a General Class or Higher is required.

Volunteer Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for own insurance coverage and medical expenses if injured or ill during activation.
• Responsible for own transportation to and from activation site.
• Must be able to follow instructions and guidelines from DR officials during a response.  Failure to do so will result in volunteer being instructed to return home.

Cash Point Baptist Church has several disaster relief groups that are on call by the State of Tennessee Southern Baptist Convention.  These teams can be called when there is a disaster or other emergency exists and provide direct support to the disaster recovery effort.

The SouthBears  primary goal is to provide logistical communications for our state disaster relief activities and the disaster relief activities of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and our secondary goal is to provide communications for others as the situation dictates.  The SouthBears meet every Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm on 7,620 KHz in the 40 meter Amateur band.  If you are a licensed amateur, you are invited to check in the group.

 The SouthBears website is:  http://southbears.org/