Feeding
Preparing and serving hot meals is the backbone of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry. With this in mind, every Hawaii Pacific volunteer is trained to work on the feeding team. Specific training is provided in maintenance, warehouse, sanitation, cooking and line serving. After completing feeding team training, volunteers may train in other areas of Disaster Relief service.
Damage Assessment
Team members go ahead of chainsaw and mud-out teams to evaluate damage and inform follow-up teams on scope of each job, including equipment that will be needed. Assessment team members will need training or a good understanding of chainsaw work and mud-out recovery work.
chainSaw
The chainsaw team removes damaged trees and other debris blocking doorways and/or driveways, trees leaning against homes, and limbs broken through roofs or causing a hazard in yards. Experience in operating a chainsaw is desirable, but not mandatory.
Members must be willing to attend training sessions in chainsaw operation and safety and must be able to endure strenuous outdoor work. On the job, every volunteer must put safety first. Team members are expected to be constantly on the alert for hazards and take the necessary precautions to protect both self and others. Volunteers are required to use safety gear to protect hands, head, ears, and eyes, as well as wear the proper clothing including chaps.
Mud-out/Flood Relief
This group of volunteers cleans out houses, garages, sheds, barns, yards, streets and community areas, helping people to have a safe environment after a disaster has occurred. Often the job is to gut-out a flooded building, preparing it for repair. Members must be in good physical condition and willing to work in unpleasant, dirty situations. Volunteers need to be conscious of health and safety hazards, taking necessary measures in order to keep themselves and others out of harms way.
Showers and laundry
This team gives aid to relief workers and others who are in need by providing showers and laundry support in the disaster area. The trailers have private shower stalls as well as washing machines, dryers, storage and folding areas. Volunteers receive and assist those requesting their services, do laundry, sanitize showers, empty trash, replace needed supplies, and keep the trailer area neat.