Early Response Team (ERT) Training: Equips individuals and teams to respond in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The cost for the training is $25 per participant. At the training, participants will receive an ERT Training Manual and upon completing the course will receive an UMCOR ID Badge and a conference ERT T-shirt, and lunch is included. You must be 18 years or older to get the UMCOR badge. An UMCOR background check is required before receiving badges—participants must register at www.tinyurl.com/umcorvv at no cost to participants). Contact your Lead Instructor if you need the Verified Volunteer Good Deed Code.
There must be at least ten (10) participants to schedule an ERT class. Participants can come from other churches within the community/district/conference.
Host church must provide a classroom-style venue, access to projector and screen (instructor will bring own laptop or thumb drive), and two rectangular table for demonstration purposes. Host church will provide simple working lunch (sandwiches, pizza, tea, lemonade—reimbursable at $7.00/person). Pre-registration is required.
Chainsaw Operator Safety Training: Training requirements: participants must complete and pass ERT training offered or hold a current ERT badge. Cost for chainsaw training only is $12; if taken following an ERT class is $6. The cost includes a separate textbook and Chainsaw ID badge. This chainsaw training includes lectures and hands-on demonstrations. There must be a minimum of six (6) participants for a chainsaw course. Host church must facilitate 1-2 trees (within reasonable distance form training venue) to be fell during hands-on training portion. Bring your own chainsaw and personal protective equipment.
Conference T-Shirts: Additional Conference ERT T-shirts: $15
To schedule and host an ERT training/chainsaw training, please contact: Luis Morales at morhilll@gmail.com.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and in order to be response ready for the 2020 Hurricane Season, the Conference Disaster Response Team will not be scheduling trainings until 2021.