Ill. continues preparedness efforts

Illinois leaders of the Illinois Faith-Based Emergency Preparedness Initiative continue their humanitarian efforts in what looks to be a new era of always being prepared. Recently, members of the Faith-Based Initiative came to the rescue of 23 New Orleans

Illinois leaders of the Illinois Faith-Based Emergency Preparedness Initiative continue their humanitarian efforts in what looks to be a new era of always being prepared.

Recently, members of the Faith-Based Initiative came to the rescue of 23 New Orleans-based musicians stranded in Chicago after performing at the annual African Festival for the Arts Festival in Washington Park. Prevented from going home because of a mandatory evacuation order issued due to Hurricane Gustav, the musicians found refuge at the recently opened South Loop Hotel, courtesy of the Broadcast Ministers’ Alliance of Chicago Inc.

“This is a time when we must always be ready to reach out and rescue victims of catastrophes,” said Dr. Damon Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, the lead agency of the Illinois Faith-Based Emergency Preparedness Initiative.

The agency is responsible for ensuring the safety of Illinois residents, in the event of a catastrophe, weather or disease-related. The Alliance learned three years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that no one was prepared. After Katrina, we formed the Illinois Faith-Based Emergency Preparedness Initiative to instill a culture of preparedness within our communities. We believe that faith-based organizations and their leaders are the keys to the success of our efforts.

To date, the group’s efforts has focused on:

Training a faith-based network of trainers training and educating congregations statewide
Hosting informational town hall meetings featuring expert presenters
Preparing an informational emergency preparedness resource guide
Creating informational videos, customized
Go Bags and a Web site

Last week, the Illinois Faith-Based Emergency Preparedness Lead Pastors, consisting of more than 200 multi-denominational clergy, called an emergency press conference to announce their efforts to help residents in the Gulf Region and other affected areas.

Bishop Simon Gordon, regional Bishop for the Full Gospel denomination, outlined some of the response, relief and recovery efforts as follows:

Establishing communications between Illinois lead pastors and lead pastors in the affected areas to assist in relocation, food distribution and shelter location
Utilizing church-to-church phone banks and networks to connect hurricane victims who have been relocated with displaced family members
Collecting and distributing supplies and resources for families, and receiving centers in the affected areas

Remember, September 28 is Illinois Faith Based Emergency Preparedness Sunday.