FAITH EMERGENCY FAITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PREPAREDNESS

INITIATIVEINITIATIVEPrepared by Marg Pollon, Prepared by Marg Pollon,

Bridges of Love MinistryBridges of Love Ministry

FAITH EMERGENCY FAITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVEPREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE

To facilitate the development of an integrated network of local churches

to complement and enhance the performance with existing secular

emergency management organizations. As communities

collaborate with a sharing of resources and expertise, the impact of disasters on individuals could be

significantly reduced.

FAITH

FAITH

PRIVATE

PUBLIC

ECCLESIASTES 4:12ECCLESIASTES 4:12

"Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not

quickly broken."

Faith Faith Emergency Emergency

Preparedness Preparedness Initiative Initiative

(FEPI)(FEPI)Advisory Advisory CouncilCouncil

PUBLIC

PRIVATE FAITH

Unity of Purpose

FAITH

FAITH

PRIVATE

PUBLIC

PURPOSEPURPOSE

The Alberta Faith Community has recognized a requirement for a coordinated approach to emergencies and disasters that could occur causing a significant impact in our province. An Influenza Pandemic specifically could have an over-whelming effect; adding increased pressure on the existing emergency/health systems making it difficult to maintain a sustained level of care.

AIMAIMTo strengthen the emergency preparedness and response relationship between Faith Community Members and their Local Governments and, as a result, initiate the development of an atmosphere of cooperation and trust between these constituencies. Ultimately greater understanding, shared responsibilities, increased collaboration accountability and activities, will lead to an integrated ACTION – orientated partnership.

MISSIONMISSION

TO BE PREPARED WITH A COORDINATED RESPONSE;

INTEGRATED WITH THE MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, CONNECTING THE LOCAL CHURCH AS A VITAL PART OF TOTAL COMMUNITY

CARE.

VALUE STATEMENT

TO DISPLAY THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST HAVING THE HEART OF SERVANTHOOD AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR MANDATE AS WE CARE FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS IN

OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH; COMPASSION, RESPECT, CONFIDENTIALITY, SENSITIVITY,

RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, OPEN COMMUNICATION AND ABOVE ALL, LOVE

FOR ONE ANOTHER.

“The Government cannot do this without the Faith Communities help!”

SUMMIT PRESENTERDr. Raj Sherman Alberta Leader for the Liberal Party

STAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDERS Faith Communities Public Sector Partners

Relative Municipal Emergency Management/Preparedness Organizations (MEMOs)

Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Alberta Health Services Alberta Health and Wellness, Ad hoc Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Stakeholder Calgary Police

Private/Resources Alberta NGO Council NeighbourLink Calgary BGEA/SP Canada Alberta Funeral Services Association

FAITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESSFAITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESSINITIATIVE ADVISORY COUNCILINITIATIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Name Position Ministry/Organization

Chaplain Jim Amsing Chaplain Calgary Police

Dean Blue Manager, Public Health Emergency Planning Alberta Health and Wellness

Troy Collett Pastor Edmonton Centre Victory Church

Mike Cook Emergency Management Officer/Operations City of Edmonton

Dr. Wayne Elford Past Director, Professor Emeritus (Epidemiologist) Professor Emeritus, U of C

Pastor Fred Friesen Pastoral Care Bonavista Evangelical Missionary Church

Ken Hoffer Business Continuity & Recovery Planner, DSS Calgary Emergency Management Agency

Tytus Kociszewski Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer Public Health Agency of Canada

Dr. John Lucas Fellowship Coordinator, Director Maranatha Evangelistic Assoc.

John MacDonald Director of Pastoral Care and Life Initiatives Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Jack MacDonald Fire Chief City of Red Deer

Karen Mann Coordinator, Emergency Management Agency City of Red Deer

Chaplain Kevin McInnes Chaplain Calgary Police

Chris McKiernan Director, Calgary & South/Central Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Alberta Health Services, Calgary

Marg Pollon Executive Director - Coordinator Bridges of Love Ministry, FEPI Advisory Council

Deanna Schroeder Executive Administrator Alberta Funeral Service Association

Major Stephen Sears Pastor The Salvation Army, Berkshire Community Church

Randy Tiller District Officer Alberta Emergency Management Agency

Dr. Wayne Whitbourne Canadian Director ACTION International Ministries

     

Resource Partners

     

Brent Davis Disaster Team Coordinator, Vice-Chair Samaritan's Purse Canada, Alberta NGO Council

Walter Twiddy CEO/President NeighbourLink Calgary

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

Raise awareness for the need to be prepared with a Christian response offering love, service and mitigation efforts as a visible and influential pillar of the local community.

Establish a planning network to facilitate the bringing together of the Christian, Public and Private Sectors working with “Unity of Purpose.”

Ensure the faith community is effectively integrated into a local emergency response structure.

Create a meaningful dialogue to ensure the Christian community is addressing emergency preparedness proactively, responsibly and with meaningful action.

BENEFITS OF A UNIFIED APPROACHBENEFITS OF A UNIFIED APPROACH

Integrated and coordinated link to the Emergency Management Agency.

Centralized management of trained and coordinated volunteers.

Prior mobilization of churches with identified and documented resources/services with committed “SWAT” Teams (Servants with Abilities and Training) ready for ACTION.

Greater depth of expertise/experience.

BENEFITS OF A UNIFIED APPROACH BENEFITS OF A UNIFIED APPROACH (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Communities working towards a common purpose having greater effectiveness and impact.

Less duplication in communication, resources and an overall improvement in resource allocation.

Increased accountability and sustainability.

Building of relationships of trust and breaking down of barriers between the Public Sector, Churches, and Community alike.

A Coordinated ApproachA Coordinated Approach

A Faith Coordination Centre working in concert with Calgary Emergency Management Agency. ONE CALL

Plans & guidelines that are supported by all regional participants.

Plans that link churches with their communities and with each other.

Communication plans and links with all stakeholders.

Expectations clearly articulated and documented. (Operational Protocol)

PLANNING PROCESSPLANNING PROCESS Coordination Centre identified (Bridges of Love Ministry) and will

work in concert with the Calgary Emergency Management Agency.

NeighbourLink with their church volunteers will care for the marginalized throughout the city.

Four Quadrant Churches who will determine one key sub-division church in each community.

Lead Sub-division Church will mobilize the local churches in each sub-division.

Train and equip the Community Outreach Groups (SWAT Teams) in each quadrant church.

Churches connecting with their communities to build relationships of trust with community through “Mobilization Crosswalk”.

““PRIOR to an Emergency PRIOR to an Emergency

Churches can get to knowChurches can get to know the neighbours in their the neighbours in their

Community.”Community.”

SUMMIT SPEAKER

Dr. Rod Elford Medical Director, HealthLink

Alberta

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS OF TRUSTBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS OF TRUST

““OPERATION CROSSWALK”OPERATION CROSSWALK”

• “Operation Crosswalk” will

proceed when 100 churches are

committed to FEPI.

Raising funds (Door Knocker, Card

+ Magnet)50,000 - $4,148.00 + $396.37100,000 - $6,400.00 + $773.89250,000 – $13,525.00 + $1816.04

• Coordinated date for delivery

FAITH

EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS

INITIATIVE

OPERATION

WALK

CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITYCONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY

Faith Emergency Preparedness Faith Emergency Preparedness Initiative CoordinatorInitiative Coordinator

Liaison between the Calgary Emergency Management Agency and the Church Community Coordination Centre.

Organize training, resources and offer support to the participants.

Maintain an active and up-to-date data base of the various committees, and churches who are active participants of the Initiative.

Enhance the Advisory Council’s public standing by clearly articulating the mission, accomplishments, and goals to other stakeholders to garner support from the various sectors.

Keep municipal officials briefed & well-informed on how effectively the Coordination Centre is operating.

Roles & Responsibilities of the Roles & Responsibilities of the FEPI Advisory CouncilFEPI Advisory Council

Maintain the Policy and Guidelines for the Faith Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council in support of the Faith Emergency Preparedness Initiative.

Uphold the Initiative’s structure in collaboration with the various stakeholders/partners.

Enhance the Coalition’s public standing by clearly articulating the mission, accomplishments, and goals to other stakeholders to garner support from the various sectors.

• Ensure effective organizational planning by actively participating in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the stated purpose and goals.

ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIESROLES/RESPONSIBILITIESCOORDINATION CENTRECOORDINATION CENTRE

Operate as a Local Communications & Municipal Service Coordination Center to monitor essential services delivery throughout the Calgary area. These could include: shelter, food services, medical services, personal hygiene services, mental health and spiritual support, physical reconstruction, logistics management and services, transportation management and services, children’s services, and case management and related services.

Link and coordinate with the Municipal Emergency Management Agency.

Disseminate information to the Quadrant Churches.

Manage and coordinate public information notices in concert with the Calgary Emergency Management Agency.

Maintain liaison with external agencies: School districts, industries, funeral homes etc.

Provide sustainability & accountability through communication/training with the quadrant/sub-division/local churches.

ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIESROLES/RESPONSIBILITIESQUADRANT CHURCHESQUADRANT CHURCHES

Maintain liaison with key churches in the designated subdivisions.

Disseminate pertinent information to Sub-division Key Churches and act as a communication hub.

Maintain database of churches who are part of the Initiative and catalogue the resources/manpower available to assist in specific areas.

Act as training and resource centres for Church “SWAT” Teams.

ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES KEY SUB-DIVISION CHURCHKEY SUB-DIVISION CHURCH

Maintain a data base of those churches in their community who are part of the initiative.

Maintain a data base of the tasks/resources for which each church has offered their assistance.

Maintain a data base of the contact names of each committee head.

Receive calls / requests from community at large and plug them into their local church.

Oversee “Mobilization Crosswalk”

ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIESROLES/RESPONSIBILITIESLOCAL CHURCHESLOCAL CHURCHES

• Committees to organize COG’s in each church.

• Data Base of volunteers (Swat Teams) who are trained in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT).

• Distribute the Emergency Door Knockers to their neighbours. (Mobilization Cross Walk)

• Work with “Unity of Purpose” with other churches/stakeholders in their community.

• Maintain the data base to keep the numbers/email addresses current at all times.

MEASURES OF SUCCESSMEASURES OF SUCCESS

Well-educated, informed, coordinated, community workforce serving together.

Coordinated structure with CEMA/Alberta Health Services

Spirit of teamwork and cooperation between sectors.

Churches connecting with their municipal leaders, other churches, knowing their neighbours, and demonstrating care/love for their community.

Congregation members passionate about serving others with God’s love.

““Minimizing the Impact on Society”Minimizing the Impact on Society”

Brad Andres, Municipal Affairs

Are there pieces of this Are there pieces of this puzzle that we haven’t puzzle that we haven’t

figured out?figured out?

A Common Vision –A Common Vision – PARTNERS IN THE PLAN GIVE STRENGTH FOR THE SOLUTION

A Common Mission --A Common Mission -- Once the relationship between faith community members and their local governments are strengthened, the sense of “us” vs. “them” will tend to fall away developing an atmosphere of cooperation and trust between the various sectors. Through greater understanding, the sharing of responsibilities, increased accountability and collaborative activities, “us” and “them” become integrated into “WE” resulting in safe and well cared for communities.

Strength in Strength in PARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPS

FURTHER INFORMATIONFURTHER INFORMATION

Marg PollonDirector - Bridges of Love Ministry

Administrator – FEPI Advisory Council

403.263.5683 (o) - 403.616.0536 (c)

Email:  margpollon@bridgesoflove.net

Web Site: www.bridgesoflove.net