Working in disaster relief TOGETHER means we see the big picture. We realize that we, as Pagans working collectively, can make a much more powerful and organized impact than when we simply promote our individual covens or personal interests on our own. We who are solitaries, when we work together with all local covens, show how very amicable and organized we as Pagans truly are.
The more Pagans who get trained in Community Emergency Response, the more members who can respond to more dire situations when they arise. Being trained means you receive volunteer notices directly (and you can then can turn around to help keep our members informed).
EARTH member Sarah Reid (of TERRA fame) learned of a 3-day training opportunity for those willing to self-pay to become a Community Emergency Response Team
member as soon as possible.
For a mere $45 tution, you can earn your CERT credentials December 4-6, 2009: Contact Sarah K. Miller, city of Auburn, at skmiller@auburnwa.gov. That's Sarah K. Miller, Auburn Emergency Management, Attn: Training, 340 E Main St., Suite 201, Auburn, WA 98002. Make checks payable to WRVCCC.
This proposed training opportunity is a "quick and dirty" concentrated version to give you the skills you need to provide First Aid and do collapsed building search and rescue in just one extended weekend.
Love and light,
~ SunTiger
Reminder: Keep your eyes and ears open for volunteer events (in disaster preparation or relief) and notify EARTH at http://paganresponders.blogspot.com/ so we can share that information with our members. Please also keep this network of Pagans abreast of any training opportunities in Ham Radio, emergency response, and first aid.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
EARTH is now on FaceBook!
To network with EARTH via FaceBook, make a friend request! {To find us, search earth@post.com!}
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Update On The Volunteer - Sandbagging Opportunities
Sandbagging volunteer efforts are available in Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila right now. Contact those local Fire Departments or call the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) coordinator to learn exactly where you can check in to volunteer. Otherwise, feel free to just show up at one of the locations listed below in the press release sent out by the City of Auburn. (Note: the Les Grove location is actually just south of the park in the old YMCA parking lot. It took me a while to find that fill site location because tall evergreen hedges hide the event from the park's view).
When you, as a Pagan, sign in for your volunteer effort, please write your name followed by a dash and the acronym EARTH. (For example, when I signed in to volunteer at the filling sight, I wrote my name as Tami Jayne Jackson/EARTH. This is simply one very easy way to begin giving credit for your volunteer hours to our collective Pagan volunteer efforts.
* Sandbagging provides a legitimate full-body physical workout. My legs are incredibly sore today (but they will stop hurting as soon as the pain goes away) :D
TIPS FOR SANDBAG VOLUNTEERS:
* Those less-abled might volunteer to tie the sandbags closed (wear some sort of thin rubber gloves if you do that as tying the bag-ties truly make the fingers go raw after a while). Those less-abled might also volunteer to greet customers, advising them how to sign in, what pile of empty sandbags to collect and where to go.
* Instead of squatting long-term to tie sandbags closed, grab an already sealed sand-bag and sit upon it. (This will save your knees and be easier on your back.)
* Use proper lifting techniques for hoisting and carrying sandbags
* Never give customers advice on how to load their vehicles. Watch how the weight of the sandbags affects their back tires (some folks try hauling too much weight for their cars and that can cause damage to their vehicle, not to mention affect their driving ability)
* Bring a shovel if you have one (there were a few times when customers needing sandbags showed up without them and the city didn't have enough on site so folks were waiting).
* Pack a lunch and bring water and/or a Gatorade-type drink (or you'll wish you had).
I found that during the 5 hours I volunteered yesterday I was taking turns shoveling sand, holding sandbags open for other shovels, tying sandbags closed and carrying heavy sandbags to load in vehicles. At the start of the day I was carrying two bags at a time. By the end of those five hours I was so tired I only carried one at a time. {Hint: PACE YOURSELF!}
When you, as a Pagan, sign in for your volunteer effort, please write your name followed by a dash and the acronym EARTH. (For example, when I signed in to volunteer at the filling sight, I wrote my name as Tami Jayne Jackson/EARTH. This is simply one very easy way to begin giving credit for your volunteer hours to our collective Pagan volunteer efforts.
* Sandbagging provides a legitimate full-body physical workout. My legs are incredibly sore today (but they will stop hurting as soon as the pain goes away) :D
TIPS FOR SANDBAG VOLUNTEERS:
* Those less-abled might volunteer to tie the sandbags closed (wear some sort of thin rubber gloves if you do that as tying the bag-ties truly make the fingers go raw after a while). Those less-abled might also volunteer to greet customers, advising them how to sign in, what pile of empty sandbags to collect and where to go.
* Instead of squatting long-term to tie sandbags closed, grab an already sealed sand-bag and sit upon it. (This will save your knees and be easier on your back.)
* Use proper lifting techniques for hoisting and carrying sandbags
* Never give customers advice on how to load their vehicles. Watch how the weight of the sandbags affects their back tires (some folks try hauling too much weight for their cars and that can cause damage to their vehicle, not to mention affect their driving ability)
* Bring a shovel if you have one (there were a few times when customers needing sandbags showed up without them and the city didn't have enough on site so folks were waiting).
* Pack a lunch and bring water and/or a Gatorade-type drink (or you'll wish you had).
I found that during the 5 hours I volunteered yesterday I was taking turns shoveling sand, holding sandbags open for other shovels, tying sandbags closed and carrying heavy sandbags to load in vehicles. At the start of the day I was carrying two bags at a time. By the end of those five hours I was so tired I only carried one at a time. {Hint: PACE YOURSELF!}
Friday, October 23, 2009
From The City Of Auburn . . . EARTH Members Want To Move Sandbags?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2009
Contact:
Sarah Miller, Emergency Preparedness Manager
City of Auburn
253-876-1925
Jerry Larson, Pastor
His Ministry
253-315-950
AUBURN , Wash. - October 23, 2009 - In cooperation with the City of Auburn , His Ministry, a local non-profit organization, will be coordinating delivery of sandbags to residents of the city of Auburn who are unable to physically move their own. Volunteers with suitable vehicles are also being sought to deliver the sandbags.
Those requesting sandbag delivery, along with those volunteering to make deliveries, should call His Ministry at 253-315-9570. His Ministry will then coordinate deliveries between residents and drivers.
Bags will continue to be available from the City of Auburn on a set schedule:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 12 p.m. until dusk.
- Les Gove Community Campus, 910 Ninth St. SE. Sandbags will be located at the SE corner of the park, accessible from 12th St.
- Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two locations.
- Les Gove Community Campus, 910 Ninth St. SE. Sandbags will be located at the SE corner of the park, accessible from 12th St .
- Fulmer Field, 5th and K St. NE. Sandbags will be located in the parking lot.
Questions can be directed to City of Auburn Emergency Management at 253-876-1925 or to His Ministry at 253-315-9570.
# # #
City of Auburn
25 W Main St.
Auburn , WA 98001
25 W Main St.
Auburn , WA 98001
Report On Western Washington Expected Flooding . . .
Posted by Tami Jackson, EARTH member
Yesterday, the City of Auburn, Washington, hosted a meeting with the White River Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) for volunteer emergency response organizations like ours. The topic was "How Can You Help: Preparing for the Upcoming Flood Season." Four EARTH members, Sarah, Teri, Jerry and Tami met inside Auburn City Hall, 25 W Main St.
Auburn's Mayor Peter B. Lewis opened the meeting by stating that all those businesses and residents living in the South King County Valley, in Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila, represent "the canary in the mine" for the rest of this Evergreen state. Those residents and businesses will be the ones most likely to suffer significant losses (think abandoned buildings, lost jobs, businesses closing, sanitation issues) given a typical heavy rain season this fall. That's because the Howard Hansen dam is cracked and water will be released if too much pressure arises.
SOMEWHAT SHOCKING NEWS
While volunteers are desperately needed for containment efforts (e.g., volunteer sandbagging is now in place) those sandbags will likely be visible for five years to come. That's because NOTHING IS PLANNED FOR REPAIRING THE DAM in these upcoming five years and five years of valley flooding is now realistically expected!
FIRST THINGS FIRST: HOW TO PREPARE
Local officials are asking us all to gear up for life-changing events. When flooding disasters play out in a community, those volunteer organizations that provide housing for victims need to provide such service for at LEAST three weeks.
At the meeting, EARTH member Tami Jackson met a woman from the Seventh-day Adventist Community Services effort, named Rose, who had been flooded out of her home in Algona last year. To date Rose has STILL not been allowed reentry (due to flood damage). Clearly, given the current dam and heavy rain scenario, many people may become homeless long-term.
Again, the governing officials are urging us all to gear up for significant impact. There are three phases to any flood scenario.
- Pre-disaster (where we all are right now - planning and preparing)
- Disaster (mass evacuation)
- After disaster (when so many businesses close, people lose their jobs, affected residents become homeless, clean-up efforts ensue)
The question all participating rescue volunteers are now asking is "What will it take to support flood victims for the long haul." Certainly services will be required for housing people and pets. After the flood, a need for volunteers willing to shovel mud out of damaged homes will arise. A big concern is the probably lack of building supplies (such as drywall) that is expected to arise after hundreds of thousands in a community begin making the same demands for limited materials.
Auburn's Emergency Preparedness Manager, Sarah K. Miller, urges all groups (like EARTH) who offer support to remain highly accountable to that commitment. Whatever services, materials or support efforts we volunteer -- we MUST provide.
VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION
Christian groups are volunteering to provide housing and shelter for their "own people." That begs this Pagan group to ask: "What resources can we make available for fellow Pagans affected by the predicted floods?"
According to Miller, from the thousands all those whom predictions say will be evacuated, 10% will end up living in shelter-type situations. Sheltering creates a necessity for volunteer-efforts in management. Note: Miller also stated that roughly 7,000 people live in Auburn's flood region. 10,000 live in Kent. 20,000 live in Renton and even more live in Tukwila.
- While many private insurance companies are refusing to provide flood insurance, FEMA still offers that service.
- Any complaints about a private insurance company that drops a flood plane (business or residential home coverage) can be filed with the Washington State Insurance Commission.
- With the Hansen Dam scenario -- a mere 24 hour notice will be provided for evacuation.
- Flood victim-pets may go to a shelter but they will have to be crated and placed in a nearby building away from other owners. [Exception: working animals that help the less-abled will be allowed to stay with their owner.]
MORE ON RELIEF EFFORTS THAT WILL BE NEEDED AFTER DISASTER HITS
While the Red Cross provides some mental health care after any given disaster-type scenario, for those living in shelters, much concern was made about the need for faith based groups to help those individuals who fall through the cracks and do not pursue refuge in shelter type scenarios.
Miller expressed a desperate need to offer mental health care to those victims who are NOT members of any particular faith-based organization. [That is where EARTH's agreement to begin launching the CISM effort will come in handy.]
HOW DO WE REACH OUT TO NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE
Pagan volunteers who speak more than one language will be highly valued as an important resource; on an ongoing basis (for communicating preparation/evacuation information and for helping after disaster strikes to get people the exact care they really need).
CALL FOR MONEY [HELP FOR DISASTER VICTIMS]
Miller stated that donating "stuff" for disaster relief is not usually very effective. Too often "stuff" requires someone to manage and store the goods; then, when the disaster strikes, what was donated is not always appropriate for filling the current need. Volunteer groups are now being asked to consider how they can raise money for disaster relief victims. The Food Bank representative stated that, due to her organizations connections, one dollar donated to them results in five dollars worth of food provided to those in need. Other charitable organizations that accept cash for disaster relief include the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
If individuals want to begin stocking supplies to share after any flood disaster scenario -- Miller suggested they stock cleaning supplies (bleach, disinfectants especially).
10/21/09 Something Pagans Need To Know About Volunteer Emergency Response Efforts
Almost two years ago, I attended a state-run critical incident response training event over on the Peninsula along with a plethora of Christian chaplains. All of us were offered continuing education credits that qualified us to counsel people in times of deep crisis. An issue of concern arose for me when this government-funded group repeatedly promoted one religion; exclusively. I realized, after hearing many public prayers to a deity that not even the Jews acknowledge, that many citizens in our communities would not feel comforted by having a devout Christian attempting to counsel them; especially not if they were already enduring some serious environmental crisis. (Indigenous cultures, for one example, have historically been grossly oppressed by the Christian communities.)
Naturally, I asked the trainers why there was no representation (on this state level) from other religious communities. There were no Jewish leaders, nobody from the Muslim faith. No Atheists or agnostics. As far as I could tell (and classroom discussion seemed to confirm this) I represented the only alternative religion there.
The Christian chaplains obviously saw no issue with this -- not even after I explained that the communities we live in and serve are very diverse. Disregarding anything I had to say on the topic, the chaplains kept insisting they were open-minded enough to counsel anybody.
Meanwhile, they kept offering up their public prayers and one particularly vocal chaplain cornered me at break time. He told me a story I will never forget. Seems he had met a Wiccan {just once}!
His story droned on to sadly explain that the witch refused to give him entry into her house when he responded to an emergency call that he had heard over the fire station's radio. "I'm sorry you had a negative experience," I admitted, sincerely. Then the chaplain went on to explain that the woman was a total nut-job who had just killed her mother. {That story clearly defined what he thought about Pagans.}
While many different stories of Christian ministers who molest children came to my mind, I bit my tongue and excused myself from divulging such undesirable information. After all, it would not have helped me make friends in that environment. Meanwhile, my experiences were to the point where I realized that I had better start a revolution. That's why I began making contact with the governing powers that be and learned they would welcome outside groups with open arms. I’m hoping, desperately, that we as Pagans can work together as one unit in this regard. To form a phone tree, an email broadcast effort perhaps – just get better connected with one another to show we really do care about our community.
This really is a powerful opportunity to put our Pagan community in the municipal limelight. This Thursday is the first opportunity that’s arisen for showing up as a group. This is why I began sending out announcements to my community a few weeks ago. I'm asking for participation in a collective effort. I hope, if you cannot attend Thursday’s meeting, that you will at least send me your contact information so you can be called and made aware of future opportunities to serve our communities during times of crisis.
Please let me know if you would like to be added to that list. United we will change the way we are seen by local governments. Divided we will falter and fail. Lets network and get better connected. Please feel free to forward this message to any party you feel would benefit from the sharing.
Naturally, I asked the trainers why there was no representation (on this state level) from other religious communities. There were no Jewish leaders, nobody from the Muslim faith. No Atheists or agnostics. As far as I could tell (and classroom discussion seemed to confirm this) I represented the only alternative religion there.
The Christian chaplains obviously saw no issue with this -- not even after I explained that the communities we live in and serve are very diverse. Disregarding anything I had to say on the topic, the chaplains kept insisting they were open-minded enough to counsel anybody.
Meanwhile, they kept offering up their public prayers and one particularly vocal chaplain cornered me at break time. He told me a story I will never forget. Seems he had met a Wiccan {just once}!
His story droned on to sadly explain that the witch refused to give him entry into her house when he responded to an emergency call that he had heard over the fire station's radio. "I'm sorry you had a negative experience," I admitted, sincerely. Then the chaplain went on to explain that the woman was a total nut-job who had just killed her mother. {That story clearly defined what he thought about Pagans.}
While many different stories of Christian ministers who molest children came to my mind, I bit my tongue and excused myself from divulging such undesirable information. After all, it would not have helped me make friends in that environment. Meanwhile, my experiences were to the point where I realized that I had better start a revolution. That's why I began making contact with the governing powers that be and learned they would welcome outside groups with open arms. I’m hoping, desperately, that we as Pagans can work together as one unit in this regard. To form a phone tree, an email broadcast effort perhaps – just get better connected with one another to show we really do care about our community.
This really is a powerful opportunity to put our Pagan community in the municipal limelight. This Thursday is the first opportunity that’s arisen for showing up as a group. This is why I began sending out announcements to my community a few weeks ago. I'm asking for participation in a collective effort. I hope, if you cannot attend Thursday’s meeting, that you will at least send me your contact information so you can be called and made aware of future opportunities to serve our communities during times of crisis.
Please let me know if you would like to be added to that list. United we will change the way we are seen by local governments. Divided we will falter and fail. Lets network and get better connected. Please feel free to forward this message to any party you feel would benefit from the sharing.
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