Introduction to Disaster Relief Chaplaincy is our new and growing specialization in Disaster Relief Ministry.  This is a 2 hour class that gives an overview of chaplaincy work in the field. The prerequisite for this class is one of the following: 6 hour Disaster Relief Crisis Intervention; NOVA Basic; CISM; or Pastoral Counseling.

Disaster Relief Crisis Intervention Chaplains extend the witness and care of the church into a very specialized time of ministry when the lives of people have been disrupted unexpectedly by a disaster.  There are not many areas of mission service that require greater spiritual sensitivity and more rapid response to human need that a disaster.  Jesus, Himself, told us that natural and man-made disasters will happen until He comes again.  Therefore, we must be ready to be the “Lord’s hands and feet” to hurting humanity, bringing gospel hope to them during crisis.   

CHILD CARE

This class teaches techniques in working with children who have become victims in a disaster. You will be prepared to move into a disaster area and work with limited resources.  You will become comfortable working with babies, toddlers and primary age children. You must have a background check as part of this course.

COMMAND POST

This class teaches how to use your skills in the Command Post in Columbia or at the Advance On-Site Command Post closer to the disaster.  Multiple phone lines and computer in-put will be a large part of this work. If your gifts are computers, telephones and organization, please give this a try.

COMMUNICATIONS

This class is for those who are interested in short wave radio communication during a time of disaster. Ham operators have a place in this important segment during a disaster.  We use Ham operators at the Command Post in Columbia and also out in the field.

C.O.P.E. - CHRISTIAN OUTREACH TO PEOPLE EVAUCATED

This unique unit is a first in South Carolina Disaster Relief.  This unit will train volunteers how to work with multiple vending machines, such as: popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, and fun activities for people who have been forced to stay away from their homes in shelters.  Children of all ages will have a fun time and someone to listen to their stories and give them a temporary reprieve from the disaster.  You must have a background check as part of this course.

CRISIS INTERVENTION

This class prepares you to be a crisis responder in a time of disaster.  Learn what to say and when to say it.  Learn how to be a good listener.  Every unit called out should have a crisis counselor on it.  This is a six (6) hour/three (3) part courses.

EVANGELISM/WITNESSING 
This class is for all who respond to human needs during a disaster.  Become prepared to listen to those who are hurting and in need to know there is hope in crisis.  Many questions are asked by victims in a disaster.  Learn what to say and when to say it.

EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS 
This class will focus on earthquakes on the eastern portion of the United States. It will give you an insight into how earthquakes happen and to what course of action the SCDR will take if an earthquake should happen in South Carolina.

FEEDING (MASS)

This class prepares you to be a part of one of the three South Carolina Disaster Relief feeding units. You will learn safety and the processes that are followed in preparing and clean-up after mass feeding.  Multiple teams are needed for relief of the feeding teams.

ICS 100 - Incident Command System

ICS is a key feature of the National Incident Management System and operates as the standard for emergency management across the country. This system has been adopted to improve both SCDR internal organizational structure as well as to facilitate coordination among the various agencies involved in Disaster Relief. At the end of the course, the participant should be prepared to take an online exam for ICS-100, a FEMA course exam that is required for all governmental agency personnel and strongly recommended for all people in volunteer programs such as SCDR.

INTRODUCTION TO DISASTER

Learn the in’s and out’s of what to do and how the system works in responding to a disaster.  Learn how each unit is coded and called out to each distinct disaster.  Discover your field of interest and giftedness in this hand on ministry. (Required for each new volunteer.)

LAUNDRY

This class will show you how to wash and dry clothes for Disaster Relief volunteer working the disaster. You will learn how to supply and maintain the unit.  Couples who can’t do other more stressful responses are ideal for this ministry.

MEDICAL

“Medical Teams need health professionals of all types as well as non-medical support personnel in order to provide medical care for disaster victims and for South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief personnel.  Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, mental health, public health, and paramedical personnel are needed, as well as those with plumbing, electrical, mechanical, logistical, supply, communications, administrative and legal skills.

Training will focus on organizational and operational issues necessary for quick response into an adverse and austere environment, and will include mental, psychological, spiritual, and technical aspects.  We will look at how standard of care and scope of practice change during a disaster.  Clinical training will focus on providing care where technical infrastructure is inaccessible.  The training provided will also be valuable to those preparing for overseas medical missions.”

MUD-OUT /RECOVERY

This class will prepare you to do one of the most needed types of clean-up in the recovery response field of disaster.  Learn what you need to do before you do mud-out. Mud-out units are prepared to remove flooring, carpet, and sheet rock to help dry out and sanitize the home after a flood.  You will also learn what type of vaccinations is needed and what safety precautions workers must take. This ministry is hard and very dirty.  You have a great one-on-one opportunity with the disaster victim.

RE-BUILD

This class will prepare you to do one of the most important types of recovery, re-building after the disaster.  Learn what you need to do before you go to assist in a re-build project. Re-build units are prepared to replace floors, walls, roofs, etc.  

SHELTERS

Learn how to open and maintain a shelter in time of disaster.  We work alongside the Red Cross in setting up and operating shelters.  This ministry is normally short term but very necessary for those displaced by disasters. We are looking to build shelter management teams from the same church.

SHOWER

This class deals with maintaining the shower unit.  Volunteers will cover the maintenance/cleanliness of the unit and supplies.  This is of course an ideal option for those desiring to work as a couple out in the field.