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Disaster Deployments: ACTION PLAN For Chaplains of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc. Gods Blessing to all the Chaplains of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries. The following action plan came about as a result of being deployed for 30 days in Louisiana during Hurricanes Katrina & Rita. After many conversations with Chief Chaplain Gibson, and many hours of phone calls and debriefings after our return from Louisiana. We learned there had to be procedures put into place to protect the safety of our chaplains, and to protect Chaplain Fellowship Ministries regarding the liability that deploying can lead to. There are procedures that we all must following when working in disaster areas for our own welfare. 1. All disasters are not the same, so if a chaplain or chaplains are deployed to a disaster area the Deputy Chief Director in charge of Disaster Deployments will have already established a contact person at the (EOC) Emergency Operation Center, if it be Homeland Security, FEMA, State,Local ,or County Government Officials. 2. Deployments most likely will be what we call Hardship Deployments, we may get a call from an EOC wanting say Five to Ten Chaplains ASAP. Chaplains will need their CFMI ID cards and all chaplains who do have badges, they need to wear them. Please take into consideration your families that you will be leaving behind and the everyday business you conduct on a normal basis. Remember it is not a vacation, it is a serious endeavor and at all times chaplains will conduct themselves in a (Professional Manner) the safety of our chaplains is very important to us and the ministry. 3. Upon arrival at the EOC, you will be processed and receive the proper ID, and shots for what ever the disaster may be. 4. Your accommodations will be taken care of by the agency you will be deployed to, it may be a Motel, Church Hall, tent or somewhere to lay your bedroll down. Before deployment we will know all the details, of whom our chaplains will be reporting to, phone numbers etc. 5. Chaplains must take their cell phone, pager or Satellite Phone with them which ever they have. The Deputy Chief Director in charge of Disaster Deployments or other Chief staff members will be checking in with you from time to time during your deployment. 6. Chaplains should not be deployed for more than (SEVEN DAYS AT ANY ONE GIVEN TIME) that includes travel time. Remember none of us are heroes, we are there to help those who need us so pay attention and follow orders. If at any time a chaplain feels their life may be in danger they are to without hesitation call either The Deputy Chief Director in charge of Disaster Deployments or Chief Chaplain Gibson or Chief Chaplain Francis any time day or night 24 X 7 365. Again remember we are not heroes, we are Gods Warriors serving in His Ministry. 7. If at any time any chaplain does not feel comfortable with their assignment once they are there, please call and let us know what your concerns are. If you are more suited in another area of expertise, we can contact the person in charge at the EOC. 8. Bring a clip Board and a legal pad, there will be a lot of phone numbers and names you will need to know, and believe me from experience you will not remember them all. 9. Plan on being on the work site at around 7: AM and returning to your housing around 8: PM to 9: PM, so make sure you have water with you, you never know the conditions you will be put in? 10. Home Office, the Chief Director in charge of Disaster Deployments or Chief Chaplain Gibson will be in contact with every chaplain on a daily basis, this is very important. The last thing we need is to get a call from Chief Chaplain Gibson asking where is John or Jane Doe, and what is there assignment. We need to be kept updated! If there is anything that we have not covered, please feel free to e-mail or call us. If we don't have the answer, we will get it one for you. 11. This next issue is very important, and there will be no exceptions. Chaplains are not police officers so no chaplain is to take any type of weapon with them. ( Handguns,knifes etc.). There are some chaplains who choose to drive to the location or State of disaster, carrying weapons will get you into trouble real quick. The only weapon you need is your training, there were many things that happened during Katrina that we seen first hand in La. There were chaplains there carrying guns that were way out of line. Every State is different, and some departments allow there Chaplain to wear uniforms just like the department wears, some chaplains have taken courses in gun safety, but they still are not Police Officers when serving as chaplains. This is for everyone safety! 12. Chaplain Fellowship Ministries always considers the welfare of our chaplain first, their health and safely is always most important. When chaplains go into a disaster healthy, we want to try and make sure they come back to their families the same way, healthy. Any chaplain who may have problems please inform the home office in case you get into a situation where you can not speak for yourself. 13. Chaplains who take medication please make sure you take plenty with them. The Disaster Deployment department will need a list of your medication in case of emergencys.If serious medical problems exist, the Chief Director of the Disaster Deployment department will make a decision as to who may be deployed under the endorsement of CFMI. 14. As in the events of (911) Katrina & Rita there were some chaplains who were told to go in to areas that were not safe, and there were others that took it upon themselves to enter into unsafe areas where they placed themselves in danger. There are some Chaplains out there that are now in grave condition because they crossed that line, there are unseen things in disaster areas that can, and will take your life. There are a good number of chaplains from previous disasters who need our prayers because they have serious health problems, some life treating. 15. CFMI Chaplains are to conduct themselves as Professionals at all times. Chaplains are to dress in the approved CFMI Uniforms. For chaplains who prefer to wear clergy collars, they do conform with CFMI uniform protocol. Male Chaplains will at all times treat all female Chaplains with respect. Chaplain Fellowship Ministries will not stand for any type of sexual harassment. Any complaint filed will be Investigated by the members of the disciplinary board. If there is evidence that sexual harassment did take place, the offending party may loose ther certification and endorsement. In closing it is our prayer that none of us will ever have to be deployed anywhere again in this great country. We are part of the Best Ministry bar none in the United States, that is Chaplain Fellowship Ministries. I have heard from people all over the country, and have them tell me they know of us and all the good work that our chaplains do. God Bless the chaplains of CFMI! Respectfully
Master Chaplain Arthur Martinez is a combat Vietnam Veteran and former K-9 Patrol officer who trained and worked with drug dogs, and attack dogs in California. Senior Chaplain Jessica Martinez is a desert storm, desert shield veteran and former Police Officer for the Fresno Police Department in California. During 2005 Chaplain's Arthur & Jessica Martinez were the first chaplains deployed by Chaplain Fellowship Ministries to New Orleans, The Parrish of Algiers, Lanier and the La. State Police Training Academy. They worked as a team counseling New Orleans police Officers who were on duty from day one. Arthur & Jessica also worked counseling fire fighters who had lost there fire stations, there homes and had no idea where there families were. Most of the Police Officers and Fire Fighters stayed on the job not knowing if their families were safe or been lost in the wake of katrina. Arthur & Jessica gives the US Coast Guard a lot of credit for saving many lives during the disaster, in their words the Coast Guard were true heroes. Arthur & Jessica where in Louisiana for over thirty days. During that time they worked with and counseled over eighty sheriff deputies, police officers, FBI Agents and fire fighters. Arthur and Jessica did a very professional job while serving during Katrina and Rita. We would like to thank them for their dedicated service to the Lords' ministry during times of disasters. Thank you both for a job well done! Chief Chaplain Donald Gibson & Chief Chaplain Bruce Francis
Contact Our Home Office Toll Free: (866) 925-0713 (Monday - Friday) 9:am to 6:pm Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc.™ is a faith based nondenominational Christ centered non profit public charity legally Incorporated within the State of Texas. © All rights reserved. Last Updated 08/23/08 |
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