Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief is a cooperative, volunteer ministry of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and its affiliated churches.  It is totally dependent upon volunteers who give of their time, energy, talents and finances to assist others in a time of disaster.  The ministry is led by the State Director, an employee of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.  He and one administrative assistant are the only employees working primarily with Disaster Relief. Within Tennessee, there are over 11,400 trained volunteers from churches and associations who are ready to respond to a disaster of any size any where.  Many of these churches and associations own and operate their own equipment. Beyond Tennessee, our state cooperates with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and 41 other state conventions that have similar ministries.  At the national level, Statements and Memorandums of Understanding are in place with American Red Cross (ARC), The Salvation Army (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Angels of Mercy (AOM) and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).  Because of these agreements, TN Baptist Disaster Relief is normally one of the first to respond with Disaster Relief services during a time of crisis. Services that can be provided during a disaster response: Recovery Teams (Over 99 units with equipment) Chainsaw Teams Clean-up Teams Flood Recovery Teams Mass Feeding 1 state unit capable of preparing up to 50,000 meals per day 2 associational units capable of preparing 10,000 – 20,000 meals per day 2 associational units capable of preparing 5,000 – 10,000 meal per day 5 associational units capable of preparing up to 5,000 meals per day Childcare Services 1 state unit with equipment to utilize in caring for 80 children at one time Chaplain Services Unit Chaplains Community Chaplains Rebuild and Recovery Damage Assessment Rebuild and repair Water Purification Unit 1 State Unit capable of purifying 8 gallons of water a minute Showers 10 Association / Church Units with a total of 48 shower heads and 6 washers and 7 dryers Laundry for Victims 6 units with a total of 15 washers and 20 dryers and 4 showers Transportation 2 Refrigerated trailer units with 2 road tractors Communication Services Command and control unit with satellite phone technology Trained ham radio operators with equipment   Volunteer Requirements: Because of agreements with national agencies and organizations, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has the following requirements for volunteers: Must be a member of a cooperating Tennessee Southern Baptist Church. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have satisfactorily completed the training course, “Introduction to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief”  and specialized training. Must complete an application and be approved for service. Must have a servant heart. Must be ready to show Christ’s love in action Must be flexible. Must be trained by TBC-certified instructors. Certain units may require criminal background checks (e.g. Childcare unit). Certain responsibilities may require background checks, motor vehicle checks and special licensing requirements.  (e.g. driver for any state equipment) Volunteer Responsibilities:  Responsible for own insurance coverage and medical expenses if injured or ill during activation. Responsible for own transportation to and from activation site. Must be able to follow instructions and guidelines from DR officials during a response.  Failure to do so will result in volunteer being instructed to return home. Funding for Disaster Relief: Cooperative Program Since 1925 the Cooperative Program has been the lifeline of Southern Baptist Mission efforts. Over the years, it has provided equipment, training, and personnel for Disaster Relief.  Currently, the Cooperative Program funds State Director and Administrative Assistant positions for Disaster Relief and provides office and facility support to the ministry. Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions The state missions offering for Tennessee has allocated funding to Disaster Relief since the ministry began in 1977.  The 2009 allocation of $65,000 provides for all expenses the ministry incurs outside of a disaster response.  This includes training of volunteers, staff travel, organizational expenses, and equipment maintenance, repair, insurance and licensing.  Occasionally, when funds are remaining, new equipment will be purchased through GOTM funds. Designated for Specific Disaster Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief is dependent upon churches and individuals who donate during a specific disaster response.  These funds are used, based on approved policy, in providing relief and assistance to the victims of a disaster. Designated Gifts for General Disaster Relief Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief is also dependent upon generous churches and individuals who donate to the General Disaster Relief.  These funds are used to purchase new equipment and to expand the ministry.   History of Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief responses: Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief began when Tennessee Baptists responded to an explosion of a train tanker car in Waverly, TN in 1978.  The immediate response was that of financial assistance.  Since then, the ministry has grown and provided assistance in many different forms to over 120 different disaster events.  The responses have been within Tennessee, throughout the United States, and even around the world.  Some have been small, with only one or two people going to provide leadership.  Others have required literally thousands of volunteers and continued for many years. The following chart shows each TN Baptist Disaster Relief response since 1978.  The month shows only the initial date of the response.  Most responses extended far beyond the initial response, especially the “Rebuild” responses.   Date Location Event Response 2010 March-June Haiti Earthquake Warehouse Management March Haiti Earthquake Buckets of Hope April-May Rhode Island Flooding Flood Recovery Teams April-June Decatur, Henderson, Hickman, and McNairy, TN Tornadoes Chainsaw Teams May 44 counties in Tennessee Flooding Flood Recovery, Chaplains, Laundry, Mass Feeding, and Shower Teams   Gibson County, TN Straight-Line Winds Chainsaw Teams 2009 January-February Missouri and Kentucky Ice Storms Mass Feeding / Chain Saw / Shower / Laundry / Chaplaincy May Illinois and Missouri Tornadoes Chainsaw Teams   West Virginia Flooding Mass Feeding Teams August Kentucky Flooding Flood Recovery Teams October Georgia Flooding Laundry Teams 2008 February Hickman, Macon, Madison, Shelby, Sumner Counties, TN Tornado Damage Chain Saw / Mass Feeding June-July Iowa and Wisconsin Midwest Storm Damage Mass Feeding / Shower / Flood Recovery / Chaplaincy September TN ARC Shelters, Louisiana Hurricane Gustav Mass Feeding / Chain Saw / Shower / Laundry / Chaplaincy September-October Texas Hurricane Ike Mass Feeding/Chain Saw/Flood Recovery/Shower/Laundry/ Chaplaincy 2007 January-February Missouri and Oklahoma Ice Storms Chain Saw April-May New Hampshire Flooding Flood Recovery / Feeding July Coffeyville, KS Flooding Laundry August-September Minnesota Flooding Flood Recovery September Ohio Flooding Flood Recovery December-January '08 Oklahoma Ice Storm Damage Chain Saw 2006 April Gibson County, TN Tornadoes Chain Saw / Shower / Mass Feeding   Dyer County, TN Tornadoes Chain Saw / Shower   Sumner County, TN Tornadoes Chain Saw / Mass Feeding May Massachusetts Floods Mudout May-June Massachusetts Floods Flood Recovery July St. Louis, MO Storm Damage Mass Feeding   Granite City, IL Storm Damage Chain Saw   Swansea, IL Storm Damage Chain Saw October-November New York Snow Storm Damage Chain Saw 2005 July Evergreen, AL Hurricane Dennis Mass Feeding August Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas Hurricane Katrina Shower / Laundry / Mass Feeding / Recovery / Communications September Mississippi & Louisiana Hurricane Rita Shower / Laundry / Mass Feeding / Recovery / Communications October Pompano Beach, FL Hurricane Wilma Mass Feeding 2004 May-June Giles County, TN Tornado Recovery June Prestonburg, KY Floods Flood Recovery August Fort Myers, FL Hurricane Charlie Recovery / Communications / Mass Feeding / Crisis Intervention September Port St. Lucie Vero Beach, FL Hurricane Frances Recovery / Mass Feeding / Communications   Atmore, AL Pace, FL Atmore, AL Hurricane Ivan Recovery / Mass Feeding / Crisis Intervention / Long-Term Rebuild   Florida Hurricane Jeanne Recovery / Mass Feeding 2003 January Morgan County, TN Tornado Long Term Rebuild   Ohio Ice Storm Recovery April Iraq War Relief Family Food Box Project May Madison, Rutherford, Dyer, Williamson, Sevier, Lincoln, Robertson, Jasper, Hamilton, and Marion Counties, TN Tornadoes / Storms Recovery / Damage Assessment / Christmas Boxes / Crisis Intervention July Indiana Floods National Incident Command   Shelby County, TN Storms Damage Assessment / Mass Feeding / Recovery August Ohio Floods Mudout September Virginia Beach, VA Newbern, NC Hurricane Isabel Mass Feeding / Recovery / Communications / Mass Feeding 2002 January West Virginia Floods Damage Assessment April Bristol, VA Floods Mass Feeding   Lewisburg, TN Factory Closing Crisis Intervention May Roanoke, VA Law Enforcement Mem. Crisis Intervention June Fayette County, WV Floods Long Term Rebuild   Gaza, Israel War Relief Crisis Intervention / Food Distribution   Roseau County, MN Floods Mud Out   Ardmore, TN Riot Trauma Crisis Intervention   Texas Floods Temp. Emergency Child Care August-September Fayette Cty., WV Floods Mass Feeding, Rebuild October Kenner, LA Hurricane Lili Recovery November Tennessee Tornadoes Recovery / Mass Feeding / Crisis Intervention December Thomasville, NC Ice Storm Recovery 2001 April El Salvador Earthquake Rebuild July Peytona, WV Floods Mass Feeding / Rebuild August Greene County, TN Floods Recovery September New York City Terrorist Attack Mass Feeding / Crisis Intervention / Dust Out 2000 January East Nashville, TN Tornado Recovery April Mozambique Flood Food Distribution May Hickman County, TN Tornado Recovery   Glorieta, NM Fire Mass Feeding   Williamson / Davidson Co., TN Storms Recovery July Summertown, TN Drought Water Distribution September Pikeville, TN Drought Water Distribution December Arkansas Ice Recovery 1999 January Jackson / Clarksville, TN Tornado Mass Feeding / Recovery May KS / OK / NE Tornado Shower Unit   Linden, TN Tornado Recovery September Kinston, NC Hurricane Floyd Mass Feeding / Rebuild   Cat Island, Bahamas Hurricane Floyd Rebuild October Kosovo War Relief Food Distribution   Turkey Earthquake Food Distribution November Nicaragua Hurricane Mitch Rebuild December Venezuela Flood Rebuild   Honduras Flood Rebuild 1998 January Roan Mt., TN Flood Mass Feeding / Recovery   Tennessee Snow / Ice Recovery February Tennessee Snow / Ice Recovery April Nashville, TN Tornado Mass Feeding / Recovery   Wayne County, TN Tornado Recovery July Lawrenceburg, TN Flood Mass Feeding / Recovery August Elizabeth City, NC Hurricane Bonnie Mass Feeding December Van Buren County, TN Ice Mass Feeding November St. Kitts, Caribbean Hurricane Georges Rebuild   Venezuela Flood Rebuild 1997 March Dyersburg, TN Flood Recovery   Madisonville, KY Flood Mass Feeding June Grand Forks, ND Flood Recovery 1996 January Mechanicsburg, PA Flood Mass Feeding September Clinton, NC Hurricane Fran Mass Feeding 1995 May Kenner, LA Flood Mass Feeding   Dyersburg, TN Flood Mass Feeding 1994 February California Earthquake Mass Feeding   Lawrenceburg, TN Ice Storm Mass Feeding / Recovery   Mississippi Ice Storm Mass Feeding   Jackson, TN Ice Storm Mass Feeding / Recovery   Clarksdale, MS Ice Storm Mass Feeding   Iron City, TN Ice Storm Recovery   Albany, GA Flood Temp. Emergency Child Care   Angleton / Houston, TX Flood Mass Feeding 1993 July Cape Girardeau, MO Flood Mass Feeding 1992 August South FL Hurricane Andrew Mass Feeding / Recovery   Houma, LA Hurricane Andrew Mass Feeding / Recovery 1991 March Elba, AL Flood Mass Feeding / Recovery   Adamsville, TN Tornado Mass Feeding / Recovery   Selmer, TN Tornado Mass Feeding / Recovery 1990 February Copper Hill, TN Flood Mass Feeding 1989 September Macedonia, SC Hurricane Hugo Mass Feeding / Recovery 1988 December Williamson Co., TN Tornado Mass Feeding 1987 December Millington, TN Tornado / Flood Mass Feeding 1986 February Cleveland, TN Tornado Mass Feeding / Recovery September East TN Drought Hay Lift October Hermann, MO Flood Mass Feeding 1985 January Tracy City, TN Ice Storm Mass Feeding September Pascagoula, MS Hurricane Elena Mass Feeding October Slidell, LA Hurricane Juan Mass Feeding November Apalachicola, FL Hurricane Kate Mass Feeding 1984 March Maxton, NC Tornado Mass Feeding May Pikeville, KY Flood Mass Feeding September Long Beach, NC Hurricane Diana Mass Feeding 1983 Aug Kemah, TX Hurricane Alicia Mass Feeding 1982 March Ft. Wayne, IN Flood Mass Feeding May Marion, IL Tornado Mass Feeding September Trenton, TN Flood Mass Feeding December St. Genevieve, MO Flood Mass Feeding 1979 May LaVergne, TN Flood Mass Feeding September Mobile, AL Hurricane Frederic Mass Feeding 1978 April Waverly, TN Tanker Car Explosion Financial Assistance   Return to Disaster Relief Home

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