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Preparedness Planning

PREPAREDNESS PLANNING

Last Updated: June 5, 2026

There is no better time to develop a preparedness plan than when all is calm. It allows you the time to think through multiple scenarios and put response plans in place. But that’s not all – preparedness planning also gives you the opportunity to think through all the ministries and assistance you offer to your neighbors and local community.

Putting together a preparedness plan can feel overwhelming, so take it one step at a time, and it’ll be in place before you know it.

GET STARTED: FIRST STEPS

1. Update your entry on the Episcopal Asset Map. The Asset Map is a joint project of The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD). Originally intended as a tool for use in locating resources as part of disaster response, it quickly became apparent its real purpose is to provide access to and highlight everyday ministry throughout the Episcopal Church. Every Episcopal church and mission is included, providing everyone with an opportunity to share the news of all their church or ministry has to offer, both every day and in times of trouble. Every church has a pin in the map; what it shares is up to you. It is the “Find a Church” tool on both the Episcopal Church’s and the diocesan website.

2. Become a member of the Preparedness Planning & Response space in the Beloved Community. Since our departure from AlertMedia, our previous emergency communications system, the diocese has migrated emergency communications to our online community – the Beloved Community on Circle. In that community, there is a space dedicated to preparedness planning and response. The diocese asks that every congregation have at least two members in the space, whether clergy, vestry members or an emergency response coordinator, though anyone with an interest in preparedness planning and community response is welcome. Learn more about the Beloved Community.

3. Find volunteers with experience. You might be amazed to learn of the experience sitting in your church’s pews. Instead of asking one person to generate the entire preparedness plan, ask for a volunteer with the appropriate expertise to run point on each module. Church leadership is still be tasked with being familiar with and approving the final plan, and perhaps even coordinating the efforts of the module volunteers/committees, but the work will be lightened by enlisting more (and knowledgeable) hands.