When disaster strikes, the local church usually provides the first response.  Volunteers need to be trained, background checked and badged so they are ready to go as soon as the area is safe.  UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) equips United Methodists so they can be the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world.  Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage all while providing a caring Christian presence. 

The next training will be from 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday, March 2 at Fargo First United Methodist Church, 906 First Avenue South, Fargo, ND.  This training will serve as the basic training for anyone interested in helping with disaster response that has not been trained before or as the recertification course for those Early Response Team members that need to recertify.   The $25 registration cost covers the training manual and background check.  Lunch will be on your own.  To register contact Pastor Lee Gale, ND Disaster Response Coordinator, at revt1220@gmail.com.