KIDRP Operating Norms

MEMBER CHURCHES

African Methodist Episcopal Church
13th Episcopal District
Kentucky Conference
West Kentucky Conference

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Mid-West Episcopal District

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Kentucky Region

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
2nd Episcopal District

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Episcopal Church
Diocese of Kentucky
Diocese of Lexington

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Indiana/Kentucky Synod

Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
Synod of Living Waters
Mid-Kentucky Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery
Western Kentucky Presbytery

Roman Catholic Church
Diocese of Covington
Diocese of Lexington
Archdiocese of Louisville
Diocese of Owensboro

United Church of Christ
Indiana/Kentucky Conference

United Methodist Church
Memphis Conference
Red Bird Missionary Conference
Kentucky Annual Conference

CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERS

Reformed Church in America
Central Baptist Church
Union Church in Berea Kentucky

OBSERVER PARTICIPANTS

Berea Friends Meeting
Lexington Friends Meeting
Church World Service
The Salvation Army

ECUMENICAL PARTNERS

Church Women United
Church World Service
Kentuckiana Interfaith Community
Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission
Paducah Cooperative Ministry

Archived News


KIDRP Operating Norms

The Kentucky Interchurch Disaster Recovery Program was established in 1974 after a devastating series of tornadoes ravaged several regions of northern and central Kentucky. At the time there were no organizations that provided long-term recovery support to disaster victims. Sponsored by the Council of Churches as a direct service arm, KIDRP became a vital part of that recovery effort and has been in continuous operation since that time. This document is intended to establish operational procedures for the broad range of natural disasters that plague Kentucky year after year and to inform member churches as to what action they should take when disaster strikes our state.

In order to fully understand the scope of disaster the following information from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Long Term Recovery Committee Manual, July 1999) is most useful (KIDRP is a member of the Kentucky branch of this organization):

Phases of Disaster Relief and Recovery.

Incident - "any condition which meets the definition of major disaster or emergency . . . which causes damage or hardship that may result in a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or an emergency." The response to any incident (also known as "impact") of this emergency phase is made by "family, neighbors, congregations, local fire and police departments, search and rescue teams, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other voluntary agencies."
Relief - "Basic human needs are cared for in a temporary way, which may last days or weeks. Medical services, food, clothing, and temporary shelter become available from the ARC, churches, other helping organizations, or friends and family." This phase also includes clean up of businesses and neighborhoods. If a Presidential declaration has been made, persons may make applications for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) or SBA (Small Business Administration) assistance during this period.
Recovery - "People begin moving out of shelters and into temporary housing. Homes and lives begin to be rebuilt. People and communities try to return to normal. The recovery phase usually lasts about ten times as long as the relief stage (or in catastrophic disasters where several years are needed for full recovery)."

KIDRP's role in disaster:
Recognizing that the Church has a vital ministry that goes beyond the immediate crisis, KIDRP seeks to provide a ministry of presence in the disaster region, especially to those who "fall through the cracks," of state and federal aid. The initial phase of a disaster-the time immediately after impact that ranges from one to four weeks-is concerned with vital services such as food, shelter, and medical care. There are numerous organizations that provide this kind of support. (The American Red Cross is the official government agency for initial direct support.) The recovery phase begins when all front-line agencies have completed the stabilization process and have departed the area. This is often a sorely depressing time for victims, who had leaned heavily on these organizations for daily assistance. It is at this point that KIDRP, in cooperation with other church, civic, and governmental groups, can supply the most effective ministry. Therefore, it is important to note that KIDRP is a "recovery" and not a "relief" organization. This does not imply a lack of concern for the immediate relief of victims; it simply emphasizes KIDRP's unique ministry of recovery.

All disasters are different, but there are essentially four steps that are followed by KIDRP in the recovery process: (1) Information Gathering; (2) Preparation of a Plan of Action; (3) Solicitation of Resources; (4) Implementing a Plan of Action.

Information Gathering. This initial step takes place during the "relief" stage noted above. Upon learning of a disaster, the KIDRP coordinator is in immediate contact with the Red Cross and community leaders to determine the scope of damage, type of disaster (state or federal declaration), and the kind of response needed. This information can emanate from a variety of sources, but the Red Cross is primary and works very closely with KIDRP to provide an accurate assessment of damage and projected needs. As soon as it is feasible, the coordinator travels to the affected area and consults with local religious and civic leaders to determine how KIDRP can help and what "model" for assistance seems most desirable. [Travel into an area does not "presume" any future action;
every local community affected by disaster must invite assistance in whatever form is mutually agreeable to all.] This is also an excellent opportunity to take pictures of disaster sites to be used as disaster fund-raising and educational tools. Preliminary information from these visits is passed along to the Council office, the KIDRP Committee, Church World Service, and church judicatories. Meanwhile, the coordinator remains in close contact with local pastors and other leaders in the disaster area and tries to attend as many local VOLAG (voluntary agencies) meetings as possible to be kept informed and to assure the VOLAG committee members of KIDRP's interest and support. At a minimum, there are daily contacts with Red Cross officials to maintain an accurate picture of continual damage assessments and services provided.

Preparation of a Plan of Action. Since KIDRP is a recovery organization, work in communities does not begin at once. The usual projection is three or four weeks after impact. During this period, plans are made for "how" KIDRP will respond based on the type of emergency and the local community's need and desire for assistance. An emergency meeting of the KIDRP committee is called soon after the coordinator's visit to the area and information derived from that visit is shared. The committee's guidance in assessing the kind of assistance to be given is extremely important. A budget is prepared that addresses needs that correspond to the facts gathered and scope of the disaster. These needs range from building materials, medical supplies, food, and shelter items to caregiver's retreats and advocacy programs. After examining all aspects of the disaster a paradigmatic model is selected that is tailored to the particular needs of the community or communities involved. The committee's choice of a model is based on several factors: whether the disaster is undeclared or federally declared; the extent or severity of damage; insurance coverage; the scope of damage. (On page 5 of the VOAD manual quoted above, designations for disasters are discussed thoroughly. This information is available to committee members.) The plan of action and other committee recommendations are then presented to the Executive Director for approval.

Solicitation of Resources. In response to the committee's recommendations, request for funds from member churches is made. Judicatories often call and make donations to the recovery effort before this request is made. It is important that members of churches are kept informed of the process of KIDRP's involvement. Every week beyond the initial impact makes fund-raising more difficult. The relief phase gets most of the publicity and because of the heightened awareness during this period funds are more easily solicited. Funds for recovery are vital to the mission, however, and must be generated for weeks after the occurrence of the disaster. Funds are also requested from Church World Service, which provides "seed" money for immediate use (some of these funds can be used during the "relief" phase if needs present themselves) and the KIDRP account is always open for receipt of funds from any organization, church group or individual for direct use in the present disaster. Monies designated for certain areas or for specific purposes are kept strictly within those bounds or can be returned at the donor's request if unused. Human resources are also a part of the solicitation step. KIDRP has had a strong working relationship with the Mennonite Disaster Service and they continue to be our principal source of volunteer support. When decisions about what kind of assistance will be provided have been made the coordinator contacts the regional Mennonite office and determines if and to what extent they can support. Other groups from Kentucky and across the nation are often available for clean-up, rebuilding, and general assistance in the disaster area. The coordinator begins to contact these groups (or as in many cases, they will make the initial contact) when it becomes apparent that their help will be needed.

Implementation of the Plan of Action. At the appropriate time, the assistance model selected by the KIDRP committee is implemented. It is obvious from the above steps that the coordinator has been involved since the beginning, but since most of the activity has been "behind the scenes" it may appear that the Council is doing nothing about the disaster. Instead, careful preparation has been taking place and recovery activities can begin. Again, this is precisely the point where the ministry of the Church can be most useful. It is also the most frustrating, because of delays in contracting agreements, insurance adjustments or the frustrations brought on by caregiver fatigue or suppressed trauma of disaster victims. For the community to know that the Church has not forgotten them and that assistance is not "temporary" is the essence of the "ministry of presence." KIDRP then joins with sister organizations to assist in whatever way to help victims on the road to recovery. The "long term," of course, is dependent on the amount of resources and how long they exist.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is unique among state councils in disaster work. In most other states there is a worthy effort to assist with relief and recovery, but there is no on-going organization devoted solely to the long-term recovery process. It is hoped that, by defining the operational policies of KIDRP as the end of almost three decades of service approaches, there will be a better understanding among our churches of this unusual ministry and how it functions during a disaster.

For over five decades, the Kentucky Council of Churches has served churches in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as the instrument of its members to nurture the unity of the body of Christ and to anticipate that unity, however partially, through common witness and service. Since 1947, Kentucky Christians have heeded not only the calling of their hearts, but the prayer of Jesus "that they all may be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:21, NRSV) We encourage you to visit our site often! We will update it with news of the Council's work, news from our member churches and partner ecumenical organizations, along with new listings on our calendar of events.