Wildfire Update
Pastoral Letter - October 10, 2020
Beloved of the Central Pacific Conference,
Now that the Annual Gathering is past us, I wanted to send another update on the CPC response to the recent wildfires across our region. The theme for the Annual Gathering was "Better Together," and this year is certainly teaching us how much we need one another!
In coordination with the staff of UCC Disaster Ministries, our conference is forming a Disaster Ministries Team to handle the immediate and ongoing response to the wildfires. We've already had some initial meetings. We're grateful for those who volunteered to serve on this team, and we plan to formalize the team as a Conference Taskforce at our next Board of Directors meeting.
Below is a report of what we're doing, and some of what we know. Thank you for being the United Church of Christ for this time.
Blessings,
Tyer
Assessment of Needs
Over the past several weeks we have been working with local church pastors, and community partners to assess the damage and immediate financial needs. To our knowledge, four of our conference congregations were directly impacted by the wildfires:
In southern Oregon, the Almeda Fire claimed the homes of two households, two to three immediate family, and ten to twelve displaced at Congregational Church of Ashland (aka Ashland Peace Church).
Nearby, the Almeda Fire also claimed the homes and belongings of at least nine members and their families in Medford UCC, and devastated much of the nearby towns of Phoenix and Talent.
In Clackamas County, several members of Beavercreek UCC and their pastor, the Rev. Jennifer Seaich, were forced to evacuate for a number of days. Thankfully, they have been able to return.
On the Oregon coast, the Congregational Church of Lincoln City, had at least one family that lost everything to the Echo Mountain Fire Complex.
Thankfully, our beloved Camp Adams, located near Molalla, OR, and in the direct line of the Riverside Fire, is now safe. As the fire came within two to three miles, our on-site staff, and other members of the surrounding community, were urged to evacuate. After days of prayer and anxiously monitoring the fire's progress, we were glad to learn that cooler air and gentle rains combined with some well-placed fire-breaks allowed firefighters to protect the community. The Beckers were able to return to their home (our camp) in mid-September, and have been cleaning up ash debris as well as clearing downed limbs from the fierce winds.
Response Strategy
At our most recent meeting, our Disaster Ministries Team discussed our strategy for response. For many directly impacted by the fires, the best course of action is to contact their insurance company and apply for FEMA. UCC Disaster Ministries has given us information on how to direct those most-affected to the most-substantial resources available. That information is at the end of this email.
We have been counseled, and we agree, that our strategy as a conference should be to first care for those within and closest to our churches. This allows our UCC family to minister to our neighbors from a place of strength -- it's more difficult to support others when you yourself are in need. To help with that effort, we've already sent funds to our four local churches to help with the unmet needs of their members and friends.
Once we have done what we can to care for those in our networks who are most affected, the UCC Disaster Ministries has a longstanding commitment to stand with those who are on the margins and who might not have access to other kinds of resources, and to do what we can to help. As the recovery continues, UCC Disaster Ministries will walk with us as we minister to our communities in the long-term recovery and rebuilding.
If you want to give to this cause, there are several ways you can help:
You can give directly to the CPC Wildfire Fund here.
You can give to UCC Disaster Ministries here.
You can also pay-it-forward by donating to the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) through your local church.
Note: Because our churches give to OCWM, which supports the infrastructures of the church, 100% of the money donated to the UCC or CPC Wildfire Funds or to OGHS will go to support those in need. You and I have already paid for the overhead through our giving to OCWM.
Trauma Support
If you’ve felt the wildfire smoke, been threatened with evacuation, evacuated, or lost loved ones or property to these fires, you have experienced a significant trauma. How you handle that trauma is entirely unique to you, and we trust you to know yourself. Please seek help if you feel you need it.
We have a number of people within our conference who have past experience with disaster/trauma counseling. We also have other UCC contacts who have offered their time and pastoral experience as trained trauma counselors. Jane Huber is a professor at Union Theological Seminary, whose sister is a wildfire fighter in the PNW. Rev. Ann Kansfield works as chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. Each has offered to help in any way they can. Their contact numbers are: Jane Huber - 646-648-2408; Ann Kansfield - 917-755-3800. We may also have pastors within our conference who have training, and experience, who can offer support.
Available Assistance
The following information was emailed to us by the UCC Disaster Ministries, and is a good place to start for those seeking assistance.
The following information is developed to provide critical information to our faith leaders serving in Oregon. We encourage every National Partner to share with your faith networks in the Northwest Region and encourage individuals to apply for Individual Assistance. FEMA advises applicants not to wait for a fixed location to apply for assistance.
On September 15, 2020 the President issued a federal disaster declaration for Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (DR 4562 OR) in Oregon. You can find general information related to the combined federal response and recovery efforts here.
You can also find information about the ongoing wildfire response efforts from the State of Oregon Wildfire Resources here. The Oregon Wildfire Resource Website includes the latest information and resources available to those affected by wildfires.
Individual Assistance (IA) - https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
How your members can get help…
Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Assistance provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households who are uninsured or are underinsured with necessary expenses and serious needs. There are two categories of IHP Assistance: Housing Assistance (HA) and Other Needs Assistance (ONA). Both are open to homeowners and renters. The only difference is renters will not get funds for repair or replacement of the dwelling as that responsibility lies with the landlord.
Housing Assistance
Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER): Financial assistance to reimburse for hotels, motels, or other short-term lodging while an applicant is displaced from his or her primary residence.
Rental Assistance: Financial assistance to rent alternate housing accommodations while an applicant is displaced from his or her primary residence.
Repair: Financial assistance to repair an owner-occupied primary residence, utilities, and residential infrastructure, including privately-owned access routes (i.e., driveways, roads, or bridges) to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition.
Replacement: Financial assistance to help replace an owner-occupied primary residence when the residence is destroyed.
Other Needs Assistance
Funeral
Medical
Dental
Child Care
Critical Needs Assistance
Clean and Removal Assistance
Assistance for Miscellaneous Items
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Unmet needs…
After working with insurance, the Individuals and Households Program, and the Small Business Administration individuals may still have unmet needs. The Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is a forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle—preparation, response and recovery—to help disaster survivors and their communities. Members of the Oregon VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. You can reach out to them at https://orvoad.communityos.org/cms/.
Another avenue for assistance and to stay informed is by dialing 211 or 866-698-6155. You can also text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211).
Small Business Administration (SBA) - https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Even if you are not a business, help is available through SBA…
Even if you are not a business the Small Business Administration may be able to help you. Applying does not mean you are required to take a loan. Even if you are sure you cannot afford a loan, a denial is not the end of the road. There are other forms of assistance in the federal response that follow the Small Business Administration, but if you do not apply to the Small Business Administration your potential eligibility for any subsequent programs cannot be reviewed. For information from the Small Business Administration specific to this event go to SBA Disaster Declaration OR-00110.
You can reach the Small Business Administration to apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/, their helpdesk at 1-800-659-2955 or by email at DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov
Individual Scale
Disaster loans for up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair/replace disaster damaged/destroyed real estate.
Both homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair/replace personal property.
POC: In addition to the general avenues for asking questions about your loan packet through the SBA Helpdesk you can connect with their virtual center staff at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.
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