Making Connections
No man is an island: this phrase is never truer than when faced with an emergency. Within every municipality, there are plans in place and agencies which are responsible to respond. The faith community has a vital role to play in an emergency but they need to be connected if they are to be part of the response. The role that an individual faith group may play will vary with every group. Whether it is providing space to other agencies, offering direct response services or providing pastoral and spiritual care, they need to be part of the communication chain to know when and where to be.
The time to make these connections is NOW before an emergency strikes.
RESOURCES FOR FAITH GROUPS
A number of faith groups have prepared resources for use in the event of an emergency. While some have been prepared with a response to a pandemic (health-related) event, such as H1N1 Influenza, the principles may be of assistance for others developing an emergency response plan.
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Anglican Church of Canada (Toronto Diocese) |
http://toronto.anglican.ca/parish-administration/emergency-preparedness/ |
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Mennonite Church Canada |
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Mennonite Disaster Service |
http://mds.mennonite.net/fileadmin/Resources/Preparing_for_Disaster_Mar_07_Full_page.pdf |
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Presbyterian Church in Canada |
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The Salvation Army in Canada |
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The United Church of Canada |
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National Council of Churches |
www.health-ministries.org/article.php?story=20091014165130863 |
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National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NOVAD) – Emotional and Spiritual Care - Light Our Way |
www.nvoad.org/index.php/resource-library/documents/cat_view/42-emotional-and-spiritual-care-.html |
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National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NOVAD) – Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee |
http://www.nvoad.org/index.php/committees/emotional-and-spiritual-care-committee.html |
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Pandemic Preparedness Guide for Faith Groups (Ontario) |
www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/emu/pan_flu/faith/faith_mn.html |
EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES
Several organizations have resources that may be of assistance in developing an emergency plan or in understanding response. The following list identifies some of those resources.
Canadian links
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Bridges of Love |
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Canadian Red Cross |
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Canadian Psychological Association |
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Christian Reformed World Relief Committee |
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Mennonite Disaster Service |
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Nazarene Disaster Response |
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The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services |
US Links
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National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster |
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Catholic Charities |
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Christian Disaster Response |
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Church of the Brethren - |
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Church World Service |
www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=action_what_emerg_main |
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North American Mission Board |
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
The responsibility for emergency response lies first with the municipal authorities, then with provincial and finally with federal. This structure is well defined and solid communication lines are in place to facilitate communication and escalate response needs as required.
Faith communities feel a call to respond to the spiritual and physical needs of persons during an emergency. To do this, connections need to be made with those persons responsible for Emergency Social Services, starting at the local or municipal level. Contact the local police, fire, emergency services and public health to find out what role your faith community may be able to play in a local emergency or disaster.
PROVINCIAL / FEDERAL LINKS
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British Columbia |
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Alberta |
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Saskatchewan |
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Manitoba |
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Ontario |
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New Brunswick |
www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/public_safety/emo.html (English) www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/fr/ministeres/securite_publique/omu.html (French) |
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Prince Edward Island |
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Nova Scotia |
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Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Yukon |
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Northwest Territories |
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Nunavut |
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Public Health Agency of Canada |
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Public Safety Canada |
Public Health/Influenza Websites
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Public Health Agency of Canada |
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2008/influenza_et-bo/index-eng.php |
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British Columbia |
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Saskatchewan |
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Manitoba |
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Ontario |
www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/emu/pan_flu/pan_flu_mn.html |
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Québec |
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Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Yukon |
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Northwest Territories |
www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/english/health/default.htm www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/english/services/communicable_disease_control_program/human_swine_flu.htm |
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Nunavut |
PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS
Responding in an emergency means also that there are people in a position to respond to the needs of others. Equipping individuals includes having a personal emergency plan. Officials recommend that individuals be able to look after themselves for 72 hours – 3 days – without needing to rely on external sources. The following links provide information on preparing a plan and an emergency kit.
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Be Prepared, Not Scared |
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Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness |
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Get Prepared.ca |
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Canadian Red Cross |
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British Columbia |
www.pep.gov.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/personal_safety.html www.health.gov.bc.ca/emergency/pdf/Personal_Family_Preparedness.pdf |
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Alberta |
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Manitoba |
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Ontario |
www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/emu/emerg_prep/default.aspx |
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New Brunswick |
www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/ps-sp/pdf/emo/Municipal-e.pdf |
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Prince Edward Island |
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Nova Scotia |
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Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Yukon |
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Nunavut |
For some, being prepared may require more than having a personal plan and kit. Special populations have specific needs to be addressed. Included are links to sites which talk about how to assist these populations.
Emergency Preparedness for Special Populations
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Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs (Ontario) |
www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/prepare/specialneeds/specialneeds.html |
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Emergency Information for Seniors (Manitoba) |
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Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Special Needs (Manitoba) |
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Checklist to Facilitate Health Emergency Planning for At-Risk People (British Columbai) |
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BC Coalition of People with Disabilities |
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British Columbia |
www.pep.gov.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/disabilities_information.html |
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Emergency Management Ontario – Disabilities/Special Needs |
www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/prepare/specialneeds/specialneeds.html |
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| 47 Queen's Park Crescent East Toronto, ON M5S 2C3, Canada www.councilofchurches.ca |
T: 416.972.9494 F: 416.927.0405 TF: 1.866.822.7645 info@councilofchurches.ca |
