Disaster Response | LERT

As you prepare for the 2023 Hurricane Season, we have provided some helpful resources for you. Please read the information in the links below. 

NOAA 2023 Hurricane Season
CDC—Preparing for Hurricane or Other Storms

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s disaster response ministry responds to immediate and long-term needs following natural and man-made disasters, working through LCMS districts and congregations, international Lutheran churches and other partners. We build partners’ capacity to respond with Christian care to needs within the church and their communities.

God calls us to be His hands reaching out to bring what peace, relief and assistance we can to those who suffer the devastating effects of disasters.  To that end, the Florida-Georgia District is training congregation members to be certified as a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) member.

Following a disaster, people with chainsaw skills are in high demand.  That is why the Florida-Georgia District wants to equip Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) members the ability to provide this service safely and efficiently. There are currently no available sessions. Read more about what training entails below.

During the training, you will learn the following:

• How to cut down trees
• How to buck and limb fallen trees
• The physics of felling trees
• How to clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner
• Safety with chainsaws
• Personal protective equipment(PPE)

The chainsaw training serves to increase our dedicated volunteers’ capabilities and give them added capacity to extend mercy to those who haven’t the means or skills to perform this dangerous work in their communities.

Sign-Up for the May 6 Merritt Island–LERT Basic Training

Description
A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 280 E Merritt Ave, Merritt Island, FL. 32953 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn the basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs, and how Lutherans can support families, congregations, and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during a disaster.

A light lunch will be provided. The registration fee is $35 per person, which helps cover the costs of manuals, ID Badge, trainer expenses, and a T-shirt. Training material will be distributed on the day of training and after the training by your LERT Trainer. Please make checks payable to the FLGA District, LCMS, and bring them with you on the day of training. Please note on memo line ‘LERT Training’. Online registration can be paid for on the FLGA District website. For questions or additional information, please contact Paul Krey at kreyp@kmcwins.com (949) 842-9292 EST.

In the chaos of a disaster, it’s important to stay focused on the task at hand. This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond. At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing: MERCY! Christ’s mercy is the basis for everything we say and do.

This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community. After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:

• Christian care in times of disaster
• A Ministry of Presence
• The LERT Program and how it works with other responders
• Introduction to Disaster Response
• Service Opportunities after a Disaster & Safety Protocol

Additional Details

• Volunteers should be between the ages of 14 and 100
• Is Not Outdoors
• Is Wheelchair Accessible
• The registration fee is $35 per person
• Training material will be distributed by the trainer
• A light lunch will be provided

Sign-Up for the May 6 Merritt Island–LERT Basic Training

Click here to learn about future LERT training opportunities.

TRAINING CANCELLED – LERT Basic Chainsaw Training – Living Hope Lutheran Church, Kennesaw, GA • October 15, 2022

 Should you have any questions, please contact Sandra Ledna.

If you would like to sponsor a LERT training or chainsaw training event, please contact Jay Wendland, FLGA District Disaster Relief Coordinator at 407-258-5041 or you may email Jay at jwendland@flgadistrict.org.

LERT is a mercy-based group, “We show the love of Christ to people who are hurting and in need.

Please donate to Disaster Response.