1. Where do we start?
2. What does our group need to do to get ready?
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?
4. What are key factors for a successful disaster response team experience?
5. Who pays for the trip?
6. How much time should we plan?
7. What will we do?
8. How do we schedule a date and place to serve?
9. How do we get additional information and PDA t-shirts?

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 people that will go, their skill levels and experience, and 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. Optimal team sizes vary with the individual disaster site. Many can accommodate as few as 6 or as many as 15 members.

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

To be in the best position to serve a community that has been affected by disaster, 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. It is 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 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. If you have any doubt, give us a call and we will let you know where the 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?

Each group's responsibilities will vary from site to site and individual site coordinators will be able to give you that information. In general, however, needs for services and skills 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. The relief phase includes clean up 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?

Consult the volunteer work team opportunities list and check with individual disaster site coordinators. They will be able to help you with specific questions and schedule your team.

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

You can register your team or get additional information by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283.

You can also sign-up using the online Work Team Registration Form. Planning resources are available, and PDA is will be happy to provide you with T-shirts for your team.