Resources & Archives Events & Registration Give Connect Search Who We Are What We Do News & StoriesCOVID-19 Disaster Preparedness & Response About The Commission for Disaster Preparedness and Response of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas works in collaboration with churches, the diocese, and local organizations to respond to disasters, to provide support for full and sustained community recovery, and to share disaster preparedness resources. Disaster Preparedness Plans‍ ‍The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and the commission recommend all diocesan churches and institutions utilize one of the three Preparedness Planning Guides provided by Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) as a first step towards disaster preparedness. Disasters can occur at any time of year and may come with little or no warning. It is increasingly important for all diocesan institutions to have a preparedness plan in place before a disaster occurs, whether it is a hurricane, flood, fire, tornado, active shooter event, or other catastrophic occurrence. A disaster is an overwhelming experience, but there are actions individuals and churches can take ahead of time to help ease the process. All disaster recovery efforts benefit from a foundational level of preparedness. After completing one of the disaster preparedness plans below, the diocesan Commission on Disaster Preparedness and Response encourages making a physical copy of the plan available in an easy to access and well-marked location. Educate staff and congregational leaders about the plan and its location. The commission also recommends storing a digital copy online, so that it can be accessed off-site. Comprehensive Plan: For use with the Facilitator's Guide, the Comprehensive Plan will help a congregation plan for a disaster, from taking inventory of physical and human assets to determining its niche in assisting vulnerable people in the larger community. The Comprehensive Plan will take between ten to fifteen hours to complete. The accompanying Facilitator’s Guide will help lead a team through the plan sections and prepare the team to use the plan it develops in an emergency. The Facilitator's Guide can be adapted for use with the other plans, too. Silver Level: The Silver Level Plan requires less time to complete, and still collects the necessary, basic information to protect parishioners and church property in times of disaster. It also helps congregations begin considering how to meet the potential needs of their most vulnerable neighbors. Bronze Level: The Bronze Level Plan will help gather the most basic information needed in times of disaster, for congregations and institutions that may not be in a position to complete the Comprehensive or Silver Level plans. Proactively creating even the most basic disaster plan is critically important for our churches and schools. Hurricane Harvey Response On August 27, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas as a Category 4 major hurricane and proceeded to cut a path of destruction across the gulf coast. Twenty-three churches within the Episcopal Diocese ofWest Texas serve in counties declared Federal Disaster Areas in Harvey's wake, and while many church properties weathered the storm unharmed, wind and wind-driven water, tornadic activity, and flooding ravaged the communities surrounding them. Responding to this disaster, Episcopal churches in the region transformed into meeting places and resource centers, and support poured into the region from within the diocese, donors around the nation, and foundation grants. Local church and community representatives collaborated with, the diocese and the Bishop’s Deputy for Disaster Recovery to purchase supplies for volunteer teams; facilitate volunteer group housing; and award emergency grants to families, local agencies, and diocesan groups working to recover. By the end of 2019, the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas distributed over 1.5 million dollars donated for relief and recovery efforts in the region, due to the extreme generosity of Episcopal Relief and Development and the American Red Cross, as well as individual and church donations. Click here to read more. Resources US Disaster Program Preparedness Resources: additional disaster preparedness resources for congregations and families are provided online by Episcopal Relief and Development Ministering to your Community After a Disaster: Children (Grades K-5); Youth (Grades 6-8); Teens (Grades 9-12); and Adults Connect Disaster Recovery Commission Co-Chair: Jennifer Wickham Email: jennifer.wickham@dwtx.org Disaster Recovery Commission Co-Chair: Jason Louis Email: jasonlouis@gmail.com ‍Social Media: DWTXDisasterRecovery Contact Send us a message, give us a call, or sign up for our Newsletter. 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