September 16, 2008

CHICAGO – Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and several other Lutheran organizations have joined a coalition of almost 3,000 organizations to promote September as "National Preparedness Month." The coalition is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness through a variety of activities.

"After a recent storm, I realized that despite my years of work in the area of disaster response and as a hospital chaplain, I didn't have a disaster kit or preparedness plan in my own home," the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, LDR director, said in a special video message, "Are you prepared?"

"Our staff has been so busy helping congregations to become better prepared for disaster that we hadn't even done enough to prepare our own homes and families," he said.

"Studies show that the main reason why most people do not plan for natural disasters and other emergencies is anxiety. It's just not fun to think about or plan for bad things that may or may not happen," Massey said.

"Natural disasters and other emergencies can happen to anyone, in any place, and at any time, often without warning," he said. "Those who have effectively prepared are not only better equipped to help themselves and others – they also feel a greater sense of calm about the things which they cannot control."

Massey encouraged Lutherans to have a personal or family disaster plan, especially during National Preparedness Month. He recommended http://www.ready.gov/ as a Web site providing a "step-by-step process of preparing for an emergency."

"While you're at it, talk to your church council about whether your congregation has a disaster plan," he said. LDR produced "Preparing for Disaster," a guide for Lutheran congregations to use in preparedness planning.

"Next time an emergency happens in my community, I'll be prepared, and I encourage you to be prepared too," Massey added.

LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The video message, "Are you prepared?" is available at http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/, on the ELCA Web site.

Information about National Preparedness Month and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign is at http://www.ready.gov/, on the Web.

The home page for Lutheran Disaster Response is at http://www.ldr.org/, and "Preparing for Disaster: A Guide for Lutheran Congregations" is available at http://www.ldr.org/prepare/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service