The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, on account of the cyclical La Niña and warmer than average ocean temperatures. The United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries encourages congregations to have in place disaster preparedness policies, which include knowing who their Conference Disaster Response Coordinators are. (View the CDRC directory here.)
Formerly known as Conference Disaster Coordinators (CDCs), the recent addition of “response” to the name illustrates a renewed focus on better equipping, educating and connecting emergency volunteers and congregations to the resources available in a time of crisis. The name change from CDC to CDRC also avoids any confusion with the more familiar Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Each conference has a CDRC that works directly with the conference minister to help the conference, associations and local churches prepare for and respond to disasters. Planning for disasters during “blue sky days” is a phrase commonly heard within responder circles, underscoring the importance of having a plan in place before a disaster happens. These disasters not only include hurricanes, but wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding, and more recently, gun violence.
In addition to CDRCs, UCC Disaster Ministries also offers an Emotional and Spiritual Care Team (ESCT), a network of individuals trained to provide support to pastors and congregations in the aftermath of a disaster. An emerging topic of importance in disaster response work is cultural humility, where volunteers recognize the importance of working side-by-side with residents, listening and learning the local vernacular and respecting cultural traditions.