The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing… (D&C 88: 119)

September 11, 2001 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Mathew 24: 6 -8)

Pres Spencer W. Kimball When the Teton Dam burst in Idaho in 1976, “We don’t know where another dam is going out or where a river is going to flood, or whether an earthquake is going to come, or what’s going to happen. We just are always prepared because the Lord said, ‘If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. ’ (D&C 38: 30. ) And that’s the only way to have peace and security—to be prepared. ”

The Lord counsels us… Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion. (D&C 132: 8)

Ward Welfare Committee EMERGENCY PLANNING l. Each ward and stake should have a brief, written plan that outlines steps to be taken if an emergency occurs. l. These plans are normally prepared by ward and stake welfare committees. l. Based on these plans, the welfare committee should assign individual responsibilities for carrying out the plans.

Ward Emergency Organization

High Priests Em Duties v. Emergency Communications v. First Aid Station v. Safety & Security v. Support Services üPower/Lights üWater üSanitation

Elders Quorum Em Duties v. Search & Rescue Teams üSearch & Rescue üFirst Aid in the Field üFire Suppression üCommunications v. Transportation

Relief Society Em Duties v. Feeding (coordinate with Salvation Army) v. Housing & Shelter (coordinate with American Red Cross) v. Clothing Distribution v. Compassionate Service üElderly & Handicapped care üPsychological & Emotional care

Primary Em Duties v. Recreation üNursery - Children under age 2 üPrimary room – ages 3 -11 v. Library Resources ü TV & DVD/VCR player üCraft Supplies

YM / YW Em Duties v. Recreation üYouth: ages 12 - 16 üSeparate area v. Library Resources ü TV & DVD/VCR player üBoard Games

Ward Welfare Committee EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN (Cont) l. Review and update resource lists of people, equipment, and facilities. l. Review plans for the use of Church buildings. l. Review ways to assist members with special needs, such as children, the elderly, and handicapped. l. Ensure that assigned individuals get proper training. l. Purchase needed emergency resources in advance and store/secure items in ward building.

Ward Welfare Committee EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS l. Call an emergency communications specialist. l. Set up and maintain means of emergency communication that will enable leaders within the ward or stake to communicate with each other and to communicate, as needed, with others outside the ward or stake. l. Ensure that the stake has the ability to contact the nearest bishops’ storehouse. Generally, amateur radio is the best alternative when telephone service is not available.

Ward Welfare Committee USE OF CHURCH BUILDINGS With approval from the Area Presidency, Church buildings, except temples, may be used as emergency shelters, first-aid stations, mass feeding locations, or recreation centers.

Lead Ward Em Coordinator v Notify Quorum & Auxiliary Leaders of Activation of Ward Em Response Plan v Meet at Ward Building v Setup Em Coordination Center (ICP) in Bishop’s Office v Setup Em Support Center (EOC) in Clerk’s Office v Setup Em Communications, if needed v Contact Stake President v Assign Individuals to Emergency Duties v Coordinate Ward Emergency Relief Efforts

The Lord teaches us … “be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [your] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. ” (D&C 58: 27)

The Time to Prepare is… NOW!!! ü CERT Training ü Neighborhood Watch ü Emergency Communications for Everyone (clerk here)