PURPOSE

The Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response Team encourages and educates the Lutheran community - congregations, schools and agencies – of the importance of preparing for and being ready to respond to disasters and emergencies.  We seek to identify church locations as community havens and disaster response sites.  I-LERT is connected to Lutheran Disaster Response through Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  Following a major domestic disaster, LDR seeks to minister holistically to the unmet needs of those affected, regardless of faith or creed.  LDR works through a network of affiliated agencies providing spiritual and emotional care, hardship grants, long-term recovery, and volunteer coordination.  Our mission is to demonstrate Christ’s compassion for people by promoting hope, healing and wholeness for disaster survivors.

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSSSW), headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, is the LDR affiliate responsible for disaster preparedness and response in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.

PREPARE TO C.A.R.E (Congregations Actively Responding to Emergencies)

Prepare to C.A.R.E is a dynamic competency-based training program that empowers congregations to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies and disasters within their communities.*

Prepare to C.A.R.E. is an interactive curriculum designed to use multiple teaching modalities with content tailored to the unique geographic and cultural characteristics of the congregation and community.  Completion of levels 1, 2 and 3 leads to designation as a “Disaster Ready Church” with certification from several agencies (State, LDR, LSS-SW).  Fee for each level of training is $5.00 per participant to cover materials.  There is a certification fee per congregation.  To schedule training or for more information contact Tempie D. Beaman, Disaster Response Coordinator, 323.299.0729 or tbeaman@lsmsaz.org.

*Prepare to C.A.R.E. is available to community organizations as Communities Actively Responding to Emergencies.

C.A.R.E. Curriculum

Pre training Risk Assessment identifies areas to be addressed.

C.A.R.E Level 1 Basic Individual and Family Preparedness

Interactive discussion on disaster preparedness for individuals and families with an emphasis on developing emergency plans and preparing emergency survival kits.

C.A.R.E Level 2 Disaster Ministry Team/Disaster Preparedness Team

Interactive discussion on disaster preparedness with an emphasis on developing emergency plans and establishing a disaster ministry team or CARE Team that trains members to respond to assist the community and partner with other agencies.

C.A.R.E Level 2B Family & Congregation Planning 250

Interactive discussions that combine 101 and 201 for congregations and their families.  This training is recommended for congregations who are ready to start disaster ministry teams.  This module is used for “train the trainers” sessions.

C.A.R.E Level 3 Community Response 301

Interactive panel discussions with community disaster response agencies.  Congregation assesses community role in a disaster (shelter, case management site, etc.

RESOURCES

The following links provide a wealth of information on emergency preparedness and disaster response. 

LOCAL

       Los Angeles County                            Imperial
        www.espfocus.org/                               www.co.imperial.ca.us/Telephon_List.htm
http://lacoa.org/esp.htm           

          Kern County                                    Ventura County

          www.co.kern.ca.us/fire/oes                  www.vcsd.org/oes/

       San Bernardino                                 Riverside

       www.sbcfire.org                                   www.rvcfire.org/opencms/functions/oes/

       Orange                                                 San Diego

          www.ocsd.org                                       www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes

       Santa Barbara County                        San Luis Obispo                

          www.sbcfire.com                                  www.slocounty.ca.gov/emergencies.htm

 

          STATE/ FEDERAL                             LDR & Affiliate – LSS Southwest

          www.oes.ca.gov                                  www.lsmsaz.org/community

       www.ready.gov                                         www.ldr.org

          www.fema.gov                 

          www.redcross.org

 

ABOUT US

ELCA’s Southwest California Synod, Pacifica Synod and LCMS’s Pacific Southwest District established I-LERT in 2004.  The team consists of clergy and lay members from within the three judicatories.