Preparing for any sort of emergency is a key part of the life of our congregations, and the peculiar geography of Southwest Florida makes preparation for disasters a critical task for clergy and vestries.
Preparation
Although the disruption a disaster brings may be unavoidable, thoughtful planning can prepare your church and the families in your congregation to proactively respond. Both your church and your individual family should have a disaster response plan.
Family Resources
- Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management Family Plan site for resources on making a plan.
- Visit Ready.Gov for more help with making your plan.
- Be sure to Know Your Evacuation Zone, so that you and your family know if you need to leave.
- You can apply for Displacement Assistance from FEMA, which can help you if you cannot return home after a disaster. See more information at this link, and apply at https://disasterassistance.gov/
Church Resources
- View & download the Diocesan Disaster Response Plan.
- If your church does not have a disaster response plan, you can download this template to build your own.
- To get started with your disaster response plan, use this pocket prep resource and this resource on communicating with your congregation before a disaster.
- Director of Communications Lindsey Nickel produced two videos for Episcopal Relief and Development on communications during a crisis. Watch part 1 here and watch part 2 here.
- Watch Kate Johnson and Fr. Eddie Gibbons’ conversation on How to Plan a Hurricane Resilience Event in Your Community (click here).
- Use our interactive Disaster Preparedness Map to evaluate the risk of tropical weather and identify communities who are in need of additional help.
For questions about your church’s disaster response plan, please reach out to Deacon Micheal Sircy, the Diocesan Disaster Coordinator, at [email protected].
Recovery
Recovery from disasters can be a frustrating and frightening process, and our churches have a role to play in supporting community recovery.
During and in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, the Office of the Bishop has designated specific staff members to serve as the primary point of contact to churches. These staff members will communicate with church leadership, respond to concerns, and arrange for resources:
- Churches in the North Convocation (Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete Deaneries) should contact Director of Congregation Support John Edgar (813-361-2834 and [email protected])
- Churches in the Central Convocation (Manasota and Venice Deaneries) should contact Director of Communications Lindsey Nickel (727-560-0972 and [email protected])
- Churches in the South Convocation (Ft. Myers and Naples Deaneries) should contact Grants Administrator Kate Johnson (773-330-2283 and [email protected])
Family Resources
- The Florida Division of Emergency Management is a source of information on programs that are designed to get aid to people quickly. Click here to see there recent disaster updates.
- FEMA’s immediate needs assistance can provide help with food, medication replacement, diapers, formula, temporary shelter, and even evacuation. FEMA has recently simplified the process, and applicants can apply without first applying for an SBA loan.
- FDEM’s Recovery Bureau includes links to State and Federal recovery resources.
Last Updated: 8-2-24