Submitted by Kathy Bryson
Springtime is a great time to up your skills and be ready. There are two great United Methodist disaster preparedness and response training opportunities available in March and May of 2019.
Western Jurisdiction Disaster Academy
“The Phoenix Rises: From Rubble to Rebuild”
March 28-31, 2019
Scottsdale, Az
All are welcome for the 2019 Western Jurisdiction Disaster Academy, an opportunity for volunteers and leaders from conferences throughout the UMC Western Jurisdiction to connect with each other through fellowship and learning. This will be a time of sharing best practices, learning new and refreshing skills, building and strengthening partnerships, and developing new relationships.
Opportunities include:
- Learn how to mobilize your church and community to respond to a disaster and participate with organizations like FEMA and Volunteer Organizations Assisting with Disasters (VOAD) in disaster relief.
- Hands on skills development and refresher courses for things like: hanging and removing dry wall, basic electrical wiring and tarping roofs.
- ERT trip leader training.
- Training is provided by leaders from the Western Jurisdiction Conference Disaster Response Coordinators in collaboration with United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Third Annual PNW Early Response Team Spring Training
May 10-11, 2019
Lazy F UMC Camp and Retreat Center
Ellensburg, Wa
Learn to assess a damaged home, hear from regional disaster response professionals or qualify/renew for your Early Response Team (ERT) badge, all in the beautiful Northwest outdoors surrounding Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center. We’re in our third year of hosting this popular and affordable training to anyone aged 18 years or above. Plus, Lazy F just opened their beautiful new dining hall – great food, new friends and new skills!
Kathy Bryson serves as an Early Response Team Coordinator for Pacific Northwest Conference United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (PNW UMVIM). Like PNW UMVIM on Facebook!
