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Initial reports of
the nature and scale of the emergency are likely to be incomplete and
constantly changing. Many statutory and voluntary service providers
will be struggling to set up their response teams at the same time.
Members of the public, relatives, the media, and others will be
clamouring for information. Telephone lines and other means of
communication will be stretched to the limit, whilst the police will
impose a substantial exclusion zone to facilitate the evacuation of
survivors and the integrity of the forensic evidence. Only clearly
identified front-line personnel would be allowed through the police
cordon. Against this background the Faith Community will be expected
to deliver the services that they have promised, efficiently and effectively.
ALL CLERGY
INVOLVED MUST HAVE A VALID AND CURRENT CRB CHECK.
WITH THE EXCEPTION
OF HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS WHO MAY BE SUBJECT TO SEPARATE INSTRUCTIONS,
THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO ALL CLERGY WHO ARE NOT DESIGNATED AS MEMBERS
OF AREA RESPONSE TEAMS OR OTHER ROLES IDENTIFIED ABOVE..
a. Wait at your
normal place of residence to be called by the Area Response Team.
Unless a major incident is very close to you and circumstances
override the following, the authorities will not normally allow you
onto the scene of a major incident without authority from the Area
Response Team. (See Below).
b. Assemble items
appropriate for the type of ministry you could be asked to perform at
the scene of an incident, at a Mortuary, or when comforting
relatives. (e.g. Bible, prayercards, Communion set, oils etc
according to the tradition of your church). A charged-up mobile phone
and a means of identity would also be useful assets.
c. On receiving a
call-out request, carefully write down all appropriate details,
including the address and phone number of the Ministry Centre or
other contact point, and the directions for finding it.
d. Report to the
Ministry Centre wearing distinctive clerical dress and any name or
identity badge. You will be issued with an Identity Tabard and a
Daily Identity Card which must be used at all times when attending
any public aspect of the incident.
e. Ensure that you
are properly briefed by the Ministry Centre and that you know your
exact task and for how long you are on duty.
f. At the end of
your specified period of ministry, report by phone or in person to
the Area Response Team in the Ministry Centre to pool information and
update colleagues.
Three important
things to remember:
• Do not go
to the site of a disaster or emergency unless you have been asked to
do so. The police will be under instructions to turn everyone away
unless they are front-line emergency personnel or clergy with the
appropriate and prearranged ID from the Area Response Team at the
Ministry Centre.
• Do not talk
to the press without authority. All communications with the media are
handled by a central co-ordinating body on behalf of all agencies
involved. What you have to say might contradict or jeopardize other
aspects of the situation.
• Do not feel
you have been overlooked or are nor required if you have not been
asked to do something in the first few hours. The Area Response Team
may be concerned to staff some aspects of ministry over a substantial
period of time, perhaps even days. This will require a spirit of
mutual co-operation and flexibility, and possibly even shift working.
Being prepared
and creating
a 'go bag'
After a major
disaster the usual services we take for granted, such as running
water, refrigeration, and telephones, may be unavailable. Experts
recommend that you should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at
least three days.
Your basic
emergency kit should include:
Water – one
gallon per person per day
Food – ready
to eat or requiring minimal water
Manual can opener
and other cooking supplies
Plates, utensils
and other feeding supplies
First Aid kit &
instructions
A copy of
important documents & phone numbers
Warm clothes and
rain gear
Heavy work gloves
Disposable camera
Unscented liquid
household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
Personal hygiene
items including toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer and soap
Plastic sheeting,
duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows
Tools such as a
crowbar, hammer & nails, staple gun, adjustable wrench and bungee cords.
Blanket or
sleeping bag
Large heavy duty
plastic bags and a plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
A component of
your disaster kit is your 'Go-bag', something you can pick up and go
knowing that it contains everything you would need to cope with and
emergency situation away from home.
Put the following
items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container and
make sure it has an I.D. tag.
You may not be at
home when an emergency strikes so it is worth thinking about keep
youring 'Go-bag' in your car. Check it regularly to make sure
everything is there and is functioning properly.
Flashlight
Radio –
battery operated or wind up
Batteries
Whistle
Dust mask
Pocket knife
Emergency cash in
small denominations and small change for phone calls
Sturdy shoes, a
change of clothes, and a warm hat
Local map
Some water and food
Permanent marker,
paper and tape
Photos of family
members and pets for re-identification purposes
List of emergency
point-of -contact phone numbers
List of allergies
to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
Copy of health
insurance and identification cards
Extra prescription
eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
Prescription
medications and first aid supplies
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Extra keys to your
house and vehicle.
Information
taken from THE CIVIL EMERGENCY & DISASTER PLAN: A briefing
document for Clergy in the County of Cumbria providing assistance as
part of the County Emergency Plan and www.72hours.org |
