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Disaster Services
Lutheran Social Services of Montana's
Disaster Services include Lutheran Disaster
Response of
Montana,
SAID…Disaster Training for the faith community
and the SAID
Network.
Lutheran Disaster Response
of Montana (LDR-MT) is a cooperative ministry of the Montana Synod-ELCA, the
Montana District-LCMS, and Lutheran Social Services of Montana.
MISSION
LDR-MT seeks to bring the
compassion of God in Jesus Christ and the caring of God’s people to
individuals and communities whose lives have been affected by disaster.
VISION
LDR-MT will facilitate an
immediate and effective response of Lutheran congregations and institutions to
address the needs of survivors of disaster.
LDR-MT will follow sound
disaster response principles and practices in areas of preparedness,
assessment of needs and resources, delivery of services, communication
efforts, and evaluation and planning, so that people affected might recover
and rebuild their lives.
DISASTER DEFINED
The six stages of disaster
are:
-
Critical incident: when disaster
strikes; generally lasts minutes to hours, but can last days to weeks; high
media coverage occurs.
- Rescue: can last
hours to days; when responders begin to secure life; funds begin to pour
into the disaster; providing for basic human needs.
-
Relief: can last days to weeks; conditions are stabilizing; emotions
are high and low among survivors and responders; economic and social
barriers are removed; people are inclined to be “helpful”, known as the “honeymoon” period.
-
Recovery:
Can last weeks to years, long demanding road; conditions normalizing;
rebuilding communities; there is little or no income for the disaster and
little or no media attention; as recovery continues, emotional tensions
deepen, more spouse abuse is reported, more arrests for alcohol and drug
abuse; need for advocacy, speaking and acting on behalf of the poor, frail
elderly, etc.
-
Mitigation:
making communities and buildings more hazard resistant.
- Preparedness: developing and coordinating plans of response with other volunteer
agencies, and local, state, and federal agencies.
THE ROLE OF LDR-MT
LDR-MT will serve as a
liaison between the local community and the greater Lutheran Church body. It
will serve to:
- Seek to provide
affected persons and communities with “Spiritual Accompaniment In Disaster”
through a network of trained clergy/AIMS/Parish Nurses and others.
- Cultivate awareness
within Lutheran congregations in MT and N. WY of their opportunity to
minister in times of disaster in their communities.
- Encourage Lutheran
congregations and Lutheran social ministry organizations to develop disaster
preparedness plans and develop partnerships with other private and public
organizations.
- Guide Lutheran
congregations in communities affected by disaster in their initial response.
- Help Lutheran
congregations assess the need for their continuing response.
- Connect Lutheran
congregations and victims of disaster with statewide and national Lutheran
response efforts and resources.
- Provide liaison to the
MT-VOAD, DES, FEMA, ARC, and other emergency management organizations.
- Strive to assure that
the Lutheran Church will provide an efficient, responsible, and compassionate response
to disaster.
ACTIVATING AN LDR-MT RESPONSE
- Disaster occurs…
-
Local pastor/congregation alerts
judicatory:
MT Synod – ELCA pastors call:
406-453-1461
MT District – LCMS pastors call:
406-259-2908
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Judicatory alerts LSS-MT.
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LSS-MT assesses and informs LDR (if
disaster is beyond the ability of the community to handle).
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LSS-MT calls partners and alerts SAID
Network (when appropriate).
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Local LDR-MT Steering committee
formed. The membership will consist of representatives of local clergy
and congregations, partnering organizations, LSS-MT.
HOW IS LDR-MT FUNDED?
Created in 1988 as a
cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS, Lutheran Disaster Response has
responded to over 250 natural and human caused disasters. LDR works through
certified social ministry organizations like LSS-MT to provide funds for
disaster relief and recovery.
Contributions can be sent to:
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ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
By
phone/credit card – 800-638-3522
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or |
LCMS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
By
phone – 888-930-4438
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SAID trainings will help answer important questions for clergy and other
religious professionals!
- If a natural or human-caused disaster struck your community would you know
what to do?
- Will you understand what your role as a leader in a faith-based
organization is with the victims of a disaster?
- Will you know how ecumenical and secular partners work together in
response?
- Will you understand the long-term role of the faith community in helping
victims learn to be survivors?
Watch for our next scheduled training!
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SAID Network LSS-MT coordinates a
network of trained volunteers. The role of the network is:
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To provide spiritual accompaniment to
victims through all stages of disaster, embodying the love of God and the care of
Christ.
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To help individuals and
communities that have experienced disaster draw upon their own
spiritual/religious resources recognizing the diversity of faith
traditions and belief systems.
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To facilitate worship and ritual
that affirms comfort and hope and assists communities in embracing a new
future.
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To provide assistance with daily
routine tasks and ministry activities for clergy and congregations
effected by disaster.
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To provide respite for clergy and
other spiritual caregivers effected by disaster
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To offer assistance in coping with
grief, loss, and stress to victims of disaster.
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To make appropriate referrals to
trained mental health professionals.
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To be able to work cooperatively with federal,
state and other emergency service organizations.
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