Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response

  Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator In emergency management circles, references are often made about an organization’s status in “blue skies” and “gray skies.” The term “blue skies” refers to how that organization conducts its normal, day-to-day operations without the direct threat of an emergency or disaster. Those operations involve building and maintaining capabilities for when disasters, or “gray skies,” strike. In carrying out their responsibilities, emergency managers utilize a four-phase model to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. The phases include mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Mitigation  involves taking steps to avoid or minimize the cause and consequences of disasters.  Preparedness  involves planning and training for those things that are not able to be mitigated. The response phase takes place immediately after the disaster occurs and focuses on the personal safety and wellbeing of those in the comm...

  There are opportunities to financially support tornado recovery efforts as well as send volunteers to the Kentucky and Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conferences. Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Long Term Recovery efforts are being planned through the Fall of 2022 and volunteer teams that are interested in helping should register their interest at  VOLUNTEER FORM .  If you want to send supplies, contact them at  SENDING SUPPLIES FORM .  Financial giving can be accomplished by clicking  Donate to Disaster Response Fund  or, mailing a check to Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, PO Box 440132, Nashville, TN 37244. (Please note Disaster Response in the memo line.) Kentucky Conference Currently, the Kentucky Annual Conference is only accepting teams that are ERT led, with a ratio of 1:1 (1 ERT trained* to 1 non-ERT).  When long term recovery efforts begin, more information will be shared.  Financial giving can be accomplished by mai...

  By Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator “If you walked by a house fully engulfed in flames and you could hear people screaming, would you keep walking? If a car crashed in front of you, would you drive by it? If a child was about to cross a busy street without looking, would you stay quiet? Well, it’s not a fire, or a crash, or a busy street, but people ARE dying and our health-care workers are drowning, and they are seeing things they will never forget….” These words were shared by a friend on social media a few months ago. Like many of us, she has been frustrated with the pandemic, a lack of concern for those who are suffering, and the declining support for the decision-makers attempting to guide us.  My friend went on to share that “we have the power to change the outcome, to lessen the burden. We can be part of the solution.”  As I read her post, my thoughts turned to a cold day in October when I met with some residents of Knoxville (Williamsport District). Th...

  Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator SUSUMC  Have you ever seen those advertisements offering an all-expense paid, week-long vacation to a tropical location? It’s an offer that seems almost too good to be true, right? Just spend a few hours touring a vacation resort and listening to a salesperson attempting to sell you a condo. No strings attached. Just give them a few hours of your precious time. How bad could it be? Fill out the registration form. Provide them with your mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Convinced it’s worth it because all expenses are paid? It’s a great opportunity because you were planning to take a vacation anyway. Then, you start receiving junk mail and spam e-mails. Your phone rings constantly. The texts never stop. You discover the airfare is free—well, except for the taxes and fees. Suddenly, what seemed like a great opportunity with no “catches” has turned into an expensive, time-consuming nuisance. Recently, I felt like o...

  By Doug Hoy, SUSUMC Disaster Response Coordinator Growing up, I spent many hours watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and learning life lessons that have formed who I am today. Fred Rogers was a pastor and, through his ministry and television show, he emphasized the importance of kindness, community, and friendship. He once said, “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” When we think of disasters, what comes to mind? Hurricanes…Flooding…Wildfires…Earthquakes? Have we considered the homeless, the hungry, single parents, seniors, or that forgotten population between 18 and twenty-something? While the needs of survivors of the former certainly should occupy our thoughts, prayers, and actions, the latter also suffer. They are our neighbors and friends. They live in o...

  By Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator Recently, my wife and I spent a weekend camping at Greene Hills Family Campground & RV Park. It was a relaxing time and we enjoyed experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of God’s creation. The colorful foliage, the sound of the nearby river, and the smell of cooking over a camp fire brought back fond childhood memories. We ended our weekend by attending the worship service. Vance Hart, the chaplain, shared a message of the importance of yeast. He spelled out how it is used to make bread and ferment grapes. As he spoke, I began to think about the aroma of freshly baked bread and the process of making it. Assemble the ingredients. Dissolve the yeast. Mix in the remainder of the ingredients. Knead the dough and allow it to rest and rise. Then, bake it and serve it. As these thoughts ran through my head on the drive home, I was reminded of the scriptural significance of bread and yeast.  Bread is not just something that sati...

Emergency Rental Assistance Even as the American economy continues its recovery from the pandemic, millions of Americans face deep rental debt and fear evictions and the loss of basic housing security. Recently, the Supreme Court blocked the Centers for Disease Control’s eviction moratorium. If you know of someone who needs Emergency Rental Assistance to cover overdue rent and utility bills, have them go to the following website to get connected and apply to programs in their local area. Emergency Rental Assistance Programs  

Did you know... COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States, including the Delta variant. Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild. If you are fully vaccinated and become infected with the Delta variant, you might be able to spread the virus to others. People with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications, may not be protected even if fully vaccinated. If you haven't been vaccinated, please consider it. Call 1-800-232-0233, or go to www.vaccines.gov to find a vaccination site near you. Now that we have come together, let's take the steps to stay together. 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to disasters in the United States and around the world by working with communities and local partners. When a disaster overwhelms a community’s ability to recover on its own, UMCOR provides essential relief supplies and supports long-term rebuilding efforts. While UMCOR is not a first-response organization, it stands ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery until a “new normal” is established after a crisis. “Early in and last out” is a guiding principle of UMCOR. With disasters such as Hurricane Henri affecting the East Coast, wildfires in the west, and the destruction in Haiti, there are many opportunities to support UMCOR efforts. Information about UMCOR disaster response efforts can be found by clicking U.S. Disaster Response or International Disaster Response. To provide financial assistance to the UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery effort (Advance #901670), click here . To give to...

Protect yourself from “storm chasers” after a natural disaster  Natural disasters like storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires often bring out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors taking advantage of those who have already been victimized. Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners affected by natural disasters to beware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. Although not all storm chasers are scammers, they may lack the proper licensing for your area, offer quick fixes, or make big promises they can’t deliver. For additional information and tips on finding assistance after a storm, click After the disaster  

IRS Natural Disaster Assistance The IRS provides important information on how taxpayers and businesses can rebuild records as well as receive disaster relief and emergency assistance after a natural disaster. For more information, click IRS Disaster Assistance Federal Natural Disaster Assistance for Veterans Veterans who have been impacted by a natural disaster, can receive priority service to replace a Separation Document (usually DD Form 214 or equivalent). To receive priority assistance, complete one of the following documents. Place the word “Natural Disaster” in the “Comments” section of eVetRecs request, or In the "Purpose" section of the Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records. State Natural Disaster Assistance for Veterans The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the Veterans' Temporary Assistance (VTA) program stand by to assist with damages incurred during the severe storms across Pennsylvania recently.  VTA...

Flood Assistance for PA Counties The Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Governor Wolf’s request to make financial aid available to residents in Bucks, Philadelphia, and Tioga counties after severe storms caused devastating flooding and significant damage on July 12. Residents and businesses in the neighboring counties of Bradford, Delaware, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton and Potter can also apply for aid. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s and should apply under SBA declaration # 17054, not for the COVID-19 incident. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov . Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to:  U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing ...