On Saturday, March 28 Shelbyville Centenary UMC will host UMCOR – ERT Training for the Bluegrass District. Jim Morse, our Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, will lead this class. Everyone completing this training, safe sanctuary, and background check will receive UMCOR-ERT Volunteer badge. Cost for this training is $15.00.   To register on line go to https://forms.gle/1VTRcKz1ESeGiBCN7 or contact David Pratt, District Disaster Response Coordinator. This training is open to all 18 years of age and older.
 
The goal is two-fold: 1. To have persons trained in our local churches to help with emergency response; 2. To get a network identified across our district to be able to coordinate people and resources in the event of an emergency. It is not a matter of if, but when an emergency will arise (tornado, flood, snow/ice). We want to be prepared. 
 
The mission of an early response team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster.
 
The team is neither a first response group of emergence workers nor a recovery, rebuild or repair team. Rather, it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church.
 
It is important to understand that ERTs are trained primarily to respond within their own community.  To travel to another district, conference or jurisdiction requires an invitation from that area’s ERT coordinator.
 
All ERTs must complete this 7 hour class led by an authorized UMCOR trainer; submit to a background check and safe sanctuary training.  Upon competition of these items you will be given badge issued by our conference.