Disaster Response

Resources for people dealing with relief to victims of trauma - such as the Haiti earthquake.

Adventist Community Services Disaster Response (ACS DR) is part of Community Outreach for the Oregon Conference. ACS DR is involved in the cycle of disaster by providing training in personal and church preparedness, by providing relief through immediate organized community response through collection and distribution of donated goods appropriate to the situation, and by doing chain saw ministry, debris removal and other relief endeavors. Adventists are also involved in broad relief by working with community entities and long-term relief committees on an ongoing basis. During peace time Adventist Disaster Response volunteers are needed to attend local community meetings dealing with community disaster preparedness.

Oregon ACS DR is a member of Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (ORVOAD). North American Division ACS DR is a member of National Voluntary Organizations in Disasters (NVOAD). These organizations are important coalitions of organizations such as American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, Presbyterians and many other faith-based and community organizations who work together to respond to disasters on a national and local level.

ACS DR has an agreement with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide donations management in times of a Presidentially-declared disaster. This means any Adventist is welcome to help in all types of disaster if they are licensed responders. FEMA is currently drawing up guidelines which will require all volunteers to be licensed with an affiliated organization in order to be allowed to help in the disaster area.

Volunteers are encouraged to become licensed so they can be used immediately and more extensively in disaster. Training events are provided for Seventh-day Adventist members to be ready for disaster here or to deploy to other areas of the country. Please refer to the training schedule listed for the Disaster Response training near you.

Meet the Adventist Disaster Response Leaders

OREGON CONFERENCE | 19800 OATFIELD ROAD | GLADSTONE, OR 97027 | 503.850.3500