Utah Areas Emergency Response Plan
Emergencies include natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods as well as man-made disasters such as hazardous material spills.
The most important step leaders and members can make is preparation:
- Area Seventies are to encourage stake presidents and bishops to have a brief emergency response plan. See planning guide found at: https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/weIfare/stake-wardemergency-planning-guide-eng.pdf
- Mission presidents should keep their emergency plan up-to-date
- Stake presidents and bishops should encourage members to prepare for emergencies by following the guidelines found at: https://www.lds.orgltopics/emergency-preparedness
- Three-month supply of food that is part of your normal diet
- Drinking water
- Longer-term supply of basic food items
- Financial reserves
- Important documents
- Clothing and bedding
- Medication and first aid supplies
- Ways to communicate with family following a disaster
Church responses to emergencies are under priesthood direction:
Localized
Stake Presidency or Bishop
Multi-Stake
Area Seventy over coordinating Council
Multi-Coordinating Councils
Area Seventy as Assigned
Local Church leaders should report as soon as possible following an emergency to their designated ecclesiastical leader. Area Seventies promptly provide a report to the member of the Presidency of the Seventy. An initial report within 12 hours of the emergency should be provided with an update if further information becomes
Detailed instructions on Church responses to emergencies are found at: Area Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide (limited access)
Reports should include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Full-time missionaries-Are they safe and accounted for?
- Church members-How many injuries or deaths? How many member homes are damaged or destroyed?
- Church buildings-What kind of damage has been sustained?
- Community-What is the overall effect on the community, including the infrastructure (power, water supplies, communications, and so on)?Anticipated needs-Is there a need for volunteer assistance from other wards and stakes or materials or other support from Church headquarters?