September 1,
2005
Report from Dr. Chuck Lorrain:
ICPC has received many calls
from chaplains wanting to know how the ICPC is going to respond to the
hurricane Katrina disaster and volunteered their assistance.
Here is the latest information:
As of this writing we have received no formal
requests for service yet, which is not surprising. Considering the
magnitude of this event, officials don’t know the questions yet, let
alone the answers.
The only exception to this is a request from the
American Red Cross which will be discussed in detail below.
The HHS in Washington DC has called me and checked
our resources and capacity for possible response should that be deemed
necessary. The ICPC is taking names of those chaplains who desire to
respond and the ICPC disaster committee will screen those individuals
for possible service should the request for service materialize.
Should you wish to be added to this list,
the best way would to be to email us with your name and a primary
contact number to:
icpc@icpc.gccoxmail.com
It cannot be over emphasized and will be
repeated here once again:
DO NOT SELF ACTIVATE!
We do not need well-meaning chaplains
becoming part of the problem in any of the affected areas nor utilizing
valuable resources needed for those who really need to be there.
American Red Cross:
The ARC has put out a request to its cognate group
partners for workers who would like to volunteer to go to a variety of
sites throughout the South. This might mean working as a chaplain, or it
might mean serving your fellow man in mass care, housing or where ever
the need exists. As chaplains, we have learned how to be flexible and
fill the need what ever and where ever they present themselves.
NOTE: This is an Extreme Hardship
Deployment!
meaning you must commit to a two (2) week assignment, work in areas
possibly with electricity or air-conditioning, and perhaps sleep in staff shelters, etc.
Additionally, only those in good health will be
accepted due to the difficulty of the assignment.
The ARC does an incredible job,
but they need workers. Do not be afraid of the paperwork or the structure if
you are not familiar with it. It is not as difficult as
it may appear at first blush.
And, if
you go on an assignment, please let the ICPC know so we do not
try to contact you with an additional request should they come into our
office.
If you are interested, you may download the
forms listed below and send them directly to the ARC. Do not
send them to the ICPC.
-- Dr. Chuck Lorrain