2009-10-16 - Disaster Boot Camp for Faith Based and Community Groups
(Oklahoma City, Okla) When disaster strikes, the faith community is often looked to as a place to find support in the hectic first moments of a disaster. Everyday people transform into relief workers to help those who are suffering, but this transformation does not happen overnight.
 
Members of faith and community organizations from across Oklahoma understand the importance of being prepared. On Saturday, October 24, in conjunction with the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma, Crossings Community Center and the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives will be hosting Disaster Boot Camp training on volunteering during a disaster.
 
The day long training, will be held at the Crossings Community Center located at 2208 West Hefner Road in Oklahoma City and will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the training 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The course is free and open to the public. Registration is required and in advance at www.faithlinksok.org.
 
“We are here to leverage the skills and experience that Red Cross volunteers have and share them with this group,” said James Tittle, assistant director of emergency services for the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma.
 
The courses on Saturday will offer preparedness training that includes the mission and principals of the Red Cross as well as the fundamentals for how the Red Cross provides invaluable resources such as sheltering, feeding, and bulk distribution of relief supplies.
 
“We keep preparedness as one of our top priorities. This priority translates into partnerships with community groups, such as Crossings Community Center and Red Cross, to increase awareness and provide training so congregations can be available to provide physical assistance as well as hope and comfort in times of disaster,” said Robin Jones, director of the Office of Faith Based Community Initiatives.
 
The Office of Faith Based Community Initiatives encourages all members of faith and community organizations to engage with Red Cross and to be prepared to respond to their family, friends and neighbors at a moment’s notice.
 
“The first step in preparing is to attend this course. Disasters change lives and we have the potential to be prepared and change a life for the positive,” said Jones.
 
Crossings Community Church has developed a group that will dedicate themselves to serving the community by working with the Red Cross to respond to the need where it is the greatest during times of disaster.
 
“When disaster strikes, people often feel helpless because they don’t know where to turn. This can be a very scary time,” said Jason Nieuwenhuis, co-leader of the church’s response team. “In many cases, just a cup of coffee, a blanket, a place to get warm and rest, or a smiling face to talk to are sometimes all a person needs to feel a little better,” he said.