Natural Disasters

Here are some emergency tips that may help your congregation:

Community of Christ U.S. Disaster Relief Line: 1-800-825-2806, ext. 1212

• When natural disasters strike and communities are evacuated, congregational pastors in affected areas often have difficulty communicating with their members to determine their situation. At the request of mission center officers affected by recent hurricanes, International Headquarters has established a special number that U.S. members can call in case of disasters. This provides callers a place to leave information about the situation in their area and the assistance they may need. After you are somewhere safe, call the Community of Christ U.S. Disaster Relief Line at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 1212. Leave the information requested, and it will be passed on to those who can offer assistance for your area.

• Make sure that the MC President (425-488-8202), Financial Officer (360-574-2758), CSM (depends on assignment) and Mission Center office/Communications Coordinator (425-572-0167) are alerted to your disaster and needs.

• If you have an answering machine, put a name and contact number for EMERGENCY CONTACT. Make sure that church and pastor phone numbers are listed with Fire and Sheriff/Police departments for reverse 911 calls.

• Make sure that a congregational neighbor and/or daily tenants have a name and contact number to alert you if there is a problem with the building (vandalism, fire, water, floods, wind, earthquake damage, etc.).

• Develop a local contact list for Emergency Support Services to request/provide assistance as needed (Red Cross, Shelters, etc.).

• Have a Disaster Phone Tree (land lines and cell phones), email addresses and notes about CB and Ham Operators for all members to utilize when requested to activate. Organize by area codes and link one person per area code to each other: Are you OK… do you need any support? Where are you now, and have you made contact with family/friends? Report on church condition (physical and hours to be open/closed).

• First aid kits, water, flashlights, supplies, transistor radio and/or walkie/yalkies should be organized at the church in case you need to care for yourselves at church during a disaster. Be aware of multiple evacuation routes and radio stations providing emergency preparation information.

• Plan in advance as a congregation if you will open your facility for physical, emotional or spiritual support or become a designated Disaster Site with Red Cross.

• Those able to help to mobilize with a variety of disaster needs (housing, generators, transportation, RV’s, first aid, pastoral care, etc.) should be documented and reported per communication chains.

Swine Flu Prevention Tips and Information:

As a proactive measure, we are distributing basic information and tips that will help you act in an informed way in the midst of a frenzy of media stories and public concern. Like any seasonal flu, it is important that you take precautions to protect yourself from infection and others if you should develop symptoms. The following information comes from the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention:

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is through to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is need.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.