FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2023

Register now for upcoming early response team, ERT, training.

Certified ERTs respond to disasters in the days after they happen.

Crystal Springs United Methodist Church in Crystal Springs is hosting an ERT training Saturday, March 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The address for the training is 306 West Georgetown Street. 

The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster.

This team is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery rebuild or repair team; rather it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church.

What do Early Response Teams do?

1. Provide a Christian presence. This does not sound like a task and is NOT, however it can be the MOST important thing a team can do.
2. Take steps to prevent further damage to a family’s personal property (i.e. tarping, debris removal, chainsaw work and cleaning out of flooded homes).
3. Teams may be asked to manage donated materials, gather information or other things as deemed necessary by the community.
4. Observe survivor’s needs and report these to the local operations.
5. Be a part of the caring ministry of “listeners” who will help the survivors begin to heal. 

The registration fee is $40 and includes a manual, lunch, t-shirt, background check and leader expenses. Clergy who participate can receive .7 CEUs.

For more details, contact Willie Morris at morris61@msn.com, or call 601.695.0880.  

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