1. Where do we start?

Begin to organize your team either from your church, a cluster of churches, or a presbytery. Determine the number of participants, skill levels and experience; identify a leader/contact person. The team leader will serve as the main point of contact for the disaster site coordinator and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

2. What does our group need to do to get ready?

To best prepare for serving in a disaster-affected community, a recovery team needs to spend time together: get to know each other; inventory skills and degree of expertise; work out the responsibilities, communication issues and kinks in relationships ahead of time. It is important to work well together as a team on any trip, and especially so in a disaster response situation.

3. I have heard about a disaster with urgent needs on the news. Why can't PDA facilitate our team's service at that site right away?

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance seeks to serve; sometimes that means waiting until we are invited to be of service. PDA does not send teams before they are asked to do so by the Presbytery or local church body. The request usually comes after the needs are clear and after an infrastructure is in place to support visiting teams. Keep an eye on the web site. We will post the opportunities as soon as we can. You may also call the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 to find out where current opportunities are.

4. What are key factors for a successful disaster response team experience?

The community affected by disaster has been subjected to sudden change, great loss and trauma, leaving their world in state of upheaval. To be in the best position to serve in a disaster situation, the team should plan time for rest, devotions, and reflection at the disaster site. Keep in mind that you are guests and servants under the authority of the community in which you are serving. Take time to listen to and get to know the disaster survivors. Remain flexible! If the work assignment is redirected, accept and affirm the change, pitch in, and do it!

5. Who pays for the trip?

Each group (or church sending the group) bears the costs of their own transportation, lodging, food and incidentals. Most disaster sites make arrangements for lodging at a reduced cost.

6. How much time should we plan?

Most sites like to have groups stay for a week or longer. Options for shorter trips are available on a site by site basis.

7. What will we do?

Work team responsibilities will vary from site to site, and individual site coordinators will be able to give you updated information. Generally, services and skills needed will vary with each stage of disaster response.

• The emergency stage (days or weeks following the disaster) involves meeting urgent needs such as helping to establish emergency shelters or feeding stations. During the emergency state, an assessment of needs occurs, and clean-up activities begin.
• The relief phase includes continued clean-up activities and temporary repairs. This phase can last from one to several months; longer when flooding is involved.
• The recovery stage deals with permanent repairs and rebuilding. This stage can last from several months to several years. In this phase, the biggest need is for skilled teams.

8. How do we schedule a date and place to serve?

To serve through one of the Presbyterian Volunteer Villages, please call the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121. Discuss the dates you’d like to serve, locations, and facilities available.  You will receive registration confirmation and a packet of volunteer information from the PDA Call Center.  PLEASE take the time to read the information thoroughly.  About a month prior to your scheduled mission trip, you will receive a call asking you to confirm your participant numbers, housing arrangements, etc.  If you have any questions during your planning or pre-departure time, please feel free to call (866) 732-6121.

To serve in another location, please explore the work team opportunities list. The disaster site coordinators listed can give you information about the opportunity listed for their state and help schedule your team.

9. How do we get additional information and PDA t-shirts?

You can register your team’s interest online or get additional information about work team opportunities by calling the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121. Volunteers visiting a Presbyterian Volunteer Village will receive a PDA work team t-shirt on site. Disaster recovery work teams going to other locations can request your t-shirts by sending an email to PDA.