Stake Emergency Action Checklist for Latter-Day Saints
Organizing an action list for an emergency isn’t a one-person job. It takes a group of leaders to delegate individual responsibilities to have the greatest impact.
In times of crisis and uncertainty, it is crucial for Latter-Day Saints (LDS) to be prepared both spiritually and temporally. To aid in this preparedness, a Stake Emergency Action Checklist can provide a comprehensive guide fall leaders within a stake.
Listed below is a pre and post-checklist for a stake emergency action plan.
Pre-Checklist
Before a storm or natural disaster, you’ll need to start with a pre-checklist to prepare for the event. I’ve listed the responsibilities of each member below.
Stake President Actions
- Communicates plan activation to Regional Emergency Response Leader
- Notifies Stake Presidency
- 1st Councilor 386-222-2222
- 2nd Councilor 386-333-3333
- Calls each Bishop to Activate Plan
- Bishop #1 208 444-4444 bishop1@gmail.com
- Bishop #2 865 555-5555 bishop2@msn.com
- Bishop #3 865 666-6666 bishop3@gmail.com
- Bishop #4 201 777-7777 bishop4@gmail.com
- Calls Emergency Preparedness High Councilman to:
- Calls Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting.
- Set up Stake Command Center, Staffing and Operation (see attachment).
- Calls Stake Executive Secretary to:
- Call Stake PEC/High Council/Relief Society meeting
- Review Action Plan
- Clarify/Review Assignments (Who, What, By-When)
1st Counselor Actions
- 1st Backup to Stake President
- Contacts Bishops Storehouse supply assistance.
- Storehouse mgr
- Discusses Storehouse management & distribution
- Monitor News and Weather Reports
2nd Counselor Actions
- 2nd Backup to Stake President
- Coordinates with Relief Society for Relief Assistance
- Stake Relief Society
- Monitor News and Weather Reports
Stake Clerk
- Prints out Stake Special Needs and Special skills sorted to identify Medical, Equipment Operator, etc.
- Prints out Ward Maps with member directions/GPS coordinates
- Sets up Operations Log and Work Order System
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
- Calls Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting
- Emergency Preparedness Specialist
- Emergency Communication Specialist
- Stake Relief Society
- Set up Stake Command Center, Staffing and Operation. (Attachment 9)
Bishops Liaison
Establish contact with Bishops to gather the following information after the storm.
- Damage to Church buildings or property
- Damage to members’ homes
- Needed equipment or supplies
Building Use and Maintenance Coordinator
- Coordinates building use and maintenance
Stake Emergency Preparedness Committee
Emergency Preparedness Specialist
- Contact Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialists and reviews Ward procedures:
- Contact every member:
- Staying, Evacuating to a Shelter, Evacuating Area
- Verify local/out of area contact numbers
- Special needs
- Organize evacuating/recovery teams
- Works with Stake Clerk to identify Stake special skill resources.
- Get list of Stake Officials with GPS devices.
Emergency Communication Specialist
- Setup Stake Emergency Communications Equipment
- Ensure communications with the Stake President
- Setup Stake simplex ERC net
- Contact Ward Emergency Communication Specialists
- Setup Ward Emergency Communications Equipment
- Get them on the net to test equipment
- Activate their Ward Communications net
- Ensure communication with the Bishop
- Contact Orlando Bishop Storehouse Communications Specialist
- Verify Storehouse frequencies
Stake Relief Society President
- Setup staff to feed and possibly house Stake Command Center Staff and possible outside resources
- Contact Ward Relief Society Presidents and offer assistance as necessary
- Identify resources to provide counseling as necessary
Post Checklist
After a disaster, the leaders in your stake need to know their responsibilities to take action throughout your area. I’ve listed the responsibilities of each member below.
Stake President Actions:
- Activates Command Center at Stake Center
- Prepares for Post Storm EPC meeting
- Notifies Stake Presidency
- 1st Councilor 386-222-2222
- 2nd Councilor 386-333-3333
- Calls each Bishop to Activate Plan
- Bishop #1 208 444-4444 bishop1@gmail.com
- Bishop #2 865 555-5555 bishop2@msn.com
- Bishop #3 865 666-6666 bishop3@gmail.com
- Bishop #4 201 777-7777 bishop4@gmail.com
- Calls Emergency Preparedness High Councilman to:
- Calls Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting.
- Set up Stake Command Center, Staffing and Operation (see attachment).
- Calls Stake Executive Secretary to:
- Call Stake PEC/High Council/Relief Society meeting
- Review Action Plan
- Clarify/Review Assignments (Who, What, By-When)
- Reports Status to Regional Emergency Response Leader.:
Church Headquarters needs to know
- Name, title, and unit of the reporting officer
- How the presiding officer can be reached
- Description, location, and magnitude of the emergency
- Number of members or missionaries injured, missing, or dead
- Location and extent of damage to Church or member property
- Actions being taken to help those in distress
- Needed assistance that is unavailable locally
1st Counselor Actions
- 1st backup to Stake President
- Contacts Bishops Storehouse supply assistance.
- Discusses Storehouse management & distribution
- Monitor News and Weather Reports
- Check of Status of Stake Building
- Fills out Building Status Form
- Reports to Stake President
2nd Counselor Actions
- 2nd Backup to Stake President
- Coordinates with Relief Society for Relief Assistance
- Monitor News and Weather Reports
Stake Clerk
- Prints out Ward Maps with member directions/GPS coordinates
- Sets up Operations Log and Work Order System
- Coordinates outside church Resources
- Records Registration of ERT/Cleanup Teams
- Insures Church Disaster Form read/checked off
- Records Team Rosters/Assignment
- Issues Work Orders, Maps, GPS Coordinates to each Team
High Council
- Calls Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting.
- Emergency Preparedness Specialist
- Emergency Communication Specialist
- Set up Stake Command Center, Staffing and Operation. (Attachment 9)
Bishops Liaison
- Establish contact with Bishops to gather the following information after the storm.
- Numbers of missing, sick, injured, dead, evacuated, flooded and burned out members and number who still need assistance and skilled medical help
- Actions taken to help those in distress and number of volunteers still available to assist
- Damage to Church buildings
- Damage to members’ homes
- Safety of full-time missionaries
- Needed equipment or supplies
Building Use and Maintenance
- Coordinates building use and maintenance.
Missionary Status
- Checks on the status of Missionaries from Ward Mission Leaders and reports to Stake President.
Stake Emergency Preparedness Committee
I’ve listed the responsibilities of each member below.
Emergency Preparedness Specialist
- Coordinates Stake Resources between Wards as needed.
- Coordinates Outside Medical, Equipment, etc.
- Organize Stake response/recovery teams.
- Provide list of Stake Officials with GPS devices.
- Coordinates with Local Government officials
Emergency Communication Specialist
- Setup Stake Emergency Communications Equipment
- Insure communications with the Stake President
- Setup Stake simplex ERC net
- Contact Ward Emergency Communication Specialists
- Setup Ward Emergency Communications Equipment
- Get them on the net to test equipment
- Activate their Ward Communications net
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Stake Emergency Action Checklist for Latter-Day Saints serves as a valuable resource for LDS stake leaders and members to navigate through challenging times with preparedness, faith, and unity. By following this comprehensive guide, individuals and families can strengthen their readiness to face emergencies and serve their communities in times of need.
