Faith Based Preparedness
The Heartland Center for Public Health Preparedness (HCP) has been in collaboration with The St. Louis Region Faith Based Partners that include a group of community organizations and government agencies committed to helping the surrounding areas with disaster preparation. The group includes Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, The Church of the Latter-day-Saints, Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries, St. Louis Archdiocesan System, St. Louis Muslim Network, Health Visions East St. Louis, St. Louis City Department of Health, St. Louis City Department of Human Resources, St. Louis City Emergency Management Agency, St. Louis County Department of Health, St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management, Missouri Emergency Management Agency, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, United Way of Greater St. Louis, United Way 211, American Red Cross, and Salvation Army.
On June 16, 2011, the first annual 2011 Faith Based Preparedness Conference was held entitled “Preparing Our Faith Based Communities for Disasters: What and How Part 1” at Saint Louis University in DuBourg Hall. This conference was hosted and sponsored by the Heartland Center for Public Health Preparedness (HCP), the Heartland Public Health Education and Training Center (HETC), and the St. Louis Region Faith Based Partners.
The conference provided basic information on emergency response and preparedness, including developing personal and family plans; the process of conducting functional needs assessments within their congregations; and solidifying their roles and responsibilities during an emergency.
Approximately 105 church participants attended the six-hour conference representing 75 St. Louis area congregations. Community partners in public health, emergency management, and social service agencies also attended. The St. Louis Region Faith Based Partners are currently following-up with the churches on requested services in areas of preparedness, CERT training, volunteer support, and sheltering activities.
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