Are you wondering how you can help people in this time of crisis? Join our Early Response Teams!
The IGRC Early Response Teams (ERT) and Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) are working together to respond to disasters. One of the primary ways to respond to disasters is via Early Response Teams (ERT). Our ERTs respond to disasters within the conference, as well as to help other areas facing disasters. The mission of Early Response Teams is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster. The team is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery, rebuild or repair team. Instead, it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church.
IGRC ERT and MMDC have partnered to allow for the most good to be done in the face of disaster for God’s people. MMDC will support ERT, working with IGRC to continue disaster relief support.
If you feel called to serve as a member of the IGRC ERT, you must register and participate in one of the trainings taught throughout the year.
What is Connecting Neighbors: This training inspires congregations and communities to minimize disaster caused harm to people and property and to respond to neighbors in helpful, cooperative and caring ways on behalf of the church and in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Information from this training comes from the knowledge and experience gleaned over many years by dedicated volunteers who have served their neighbors on behalf of the church.
Early Response Team (ERT) Training and Recertification: Equips individuals and teams to respond in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The cost for this training is $25 per participant and $10 for recertification. At the training, participants will receive an ERT Training Manual (digital copy), and upon completing the course will receive a UMCOR ID Badge and a conference ERT T-shirt. You must be 18 years or older to get the UMCOR badge. For the Recertification training, you needed to have been badged in 2019. A UMCOR background check is required before receiving badges. There is limited space, so register soon. If there is a need for additional classes, we will consider that.
Upcoming 2022 Trainings:
Registration, times and dates are located on the Illinois Great Rivers Conference website, under Get Involved, Disaster Response.
Click here to take you directly to the page.
