Individuals seeking to serve in the wake of disaster in the way Jesus Christ would, by feeding, clothing, and serving, are invited to participate in Virginia Baptist Disaster Response. Those who respond will be trained in disciplines according to each person’s individual choice, gifts, and skill set.
Upon completion of training and approval by the Virginia Baptist Disaster Response coordinator, the volunteer will be certified, credentialed and issued an approved identification badge. Virginia Baptist Disaster Response may also provide training for and with other organizations that may or may not have a religious affiliation. Credentialing of these individuals or groups will be at the discretion of the Virginia Baptist Disaster Response Coordinator.
New credentials are issued for a three-year period ending three years from the end of the month in which the new volunteer is trained. At the end of the three-year period, a person must meet at least one of the following criteria during the valid period of their credentials:
- Respond affirmatively to a disaster callout and serve on the field
- Attend additional orientation/training sessions
- Participate in an approved disaster response field exercise
If one or more of these criteria are not met during a person’s valid credentialed period, then that person will be placed in an “inactive” status and can only be removed from that status by attending a VBDR-sponsored training session. A person with an inactive status may not be called upon to serve until properly credentialed.
The Virginia Baptist Disaster Response coordinator (or his/her designee) has the authority to:
- Revoke a person’s credentials for behavior deemed inappropriate to Virginia Baptist Disaster Response
- Grant temporary credentials to individuals who can perform certain tasks that are in demand during any particular disaster
