OUR CORE ACTIVITIES AND WHAT WE CAN DO

Our expectation is to build emergency response capabilities incrementally with talent and resources as they fit the need and capability of our volunteers and funding.  We are open minded on what kinds of activities would be helpful and that we might be able to support on a volunteer basis. 

CURRENT CAPABILITIES

SHELTER OPERATION: (Johnson City, FUMC): We are established as a certified American Red Cross Shelter with trained management. We are rated to serve 125 victims but more comfortably can serve fewer.  We will provide a safe, secure, dry living space (on cots or air mattresses, or floor space if necessary) along with food services, based on available volunteer staffing.  This shelter is in the Activities Building at First United Methodist Church at 105 North LBJ Drive, Johnson City, Texas 78636; Office: 830-868-7414. See contacts on home page.

VACCINATION/SHOT CLINICS: We are trained and capable of establishing and operating shot clinics in support of pandemic and routine maintenance efforts of local, state and federal health authorities. We do not give the shots, but will manage the entire clinic process surrounding vaccinations.

DISASTER DAMAGE ASSESSMENT TEAMS: We can send team members to disaster sites to assess home, commercial building and public infrastructure damage.

CHURCH STAFFING DURING RELIEF OPERATIONS: We can send team members to churches located in disaster areas to relieve or supplement their staff so they can pursue disaster relief operations in their own community.

FUNDRAISING: We can coordinate fund raising and financial donations to support disaster relief efforts.

DONATION COORDINATION: We can coordinate donation operations, including public announcement, solicitation, receipt, processing, storage and distribution of donated goods and supplies.

TRANSPORTATION: On a limited basis we can provide a 12 person van and drives for shuttle of victims, volunteers, and supplies within affected disaster areas. We will coordinate availability of other vehicles and drivers, and welcome all offers.

EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT: Through experienced amateur radio volunteers (FCC licensed ham operators), a core group has been established to provide portable, mobile communications during outages of the public communications infrastructure due to disasters. They will use ham radio transmitters, receivers and antennas, powered by battery, generators or other means, to maintain communication support for disaster agencies. This Section operates as an authorized RACES communications group as part of a nationwide network of similar groups. Training is provided for interested lay people to become ham operators, as well as training of volunteer hams for disaster support work. Click on Emergency Communications Support Section for more details.

ANIMAL SHELTER: We are in the initial planning stage of establishing an anaimal shelter, with preliminary focus on cats and dogs who accompany the human shelter guests who lodge with us.

SPECIAL PROJECTS: Depending on the need and corresponding availability of suitable volunteers, we can use our team member pool to accomplish special projects that arise in disaster situations in support of law enforcement, fire, EMS, medical, government, Red Cross or other agencies in need.

UPCOMING CAPABILITIES

We are working toward establishment of CERT teams, a Medical Response Corps group, a pet shelter, and other specialties. Other capabilities are in the works. If you have a special interest or need or capability to offer, please let us know, particularly if you are willing to volunteer.

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