Hurricane Sandy Response - What to Expect
Hurricane Sandy Response - What to Expect
The Conference Disaster Response office now has sites set up on Long Island ready to receive ERT teams and volunteers to help with relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy. The process for registering as an individual or as a team is pretty straightforward and can be accomplished online by going to the following link: http://nyac.com/registrations/register/87
Upon registering as an individual or as a team, the Volunteer Coordinator will be in contact with you and/or your team to work out the specifics for your trip to the area to help with relief efforts.
Note that at this time, those under the age of 18 are not allowed due to insurance reasons. There will be opportunity for youth to serve in the disaster area later on in the recovery period.
Also, note that not everyone in your group is required to be ERT trained, but the more ERT volunteers you have on your team, the better. Your group must include at least one experienced ERT volunteer to help guide the rest of the team.
Work Site Assignment:
Every effort will be made to assign you to the work site preference you have chosen for the dates you desire. However you may be asked to split your group and work at different work sites as needed. Once the work site assignment is made, you will be provided with initial site contact information.
Required equipment:
Every volunteer should have a minimum of the following items with them:
- sturdy work boots (does not have to be steel toed)
- work clothes (jeans, long sleeve shirt)
- safety glasses or goggles
- a supply of N-95 masks (can be picked up at any hardware store)
- hat (hardhat is helpful but not required)
- heavy work gloves
- utility knife with spare blades
- square-end shovel
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- a personal water canteen of some sort.
The site managers can advise you of other helpful equipment or tools to bring if you have them. Please be sure to clearly label any and all personal tools and equipment so that you do not lose anything.
Housing and Cost:
The Conference Disaster Response Coordinator in each district will arrange housing for you and your team at the nearest available location to the work site. ERT teams must be self sufficient and supply all of their own needs, i.e. cooking, supplies, transportation, bedding, etc. Each team is responsible to bring their own tools and equipment to use at work locations unless there are prior arrangements for use of one of the UMC disaster trailers. Housing has been secured for out-of-the-area teams and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is available for teams up to 24 people. The donation for housing at present is $10 per person per week/trip.
