After disaster strikes, two things happen.
The National Guard clears the roads.
Then fire and rescue teams can come in, as well as Alabama Baptists and other disaster relief volunteers.
Though they are both wielding chain saws, the missions of National Guardsmen and Alabama Baptist volunteers “differ to the extent that the Guard will blaze a trail into the affected areas, clearing streets and creating access into the disaster zone, while Alabama Baptist units assist homeowners,” said Mel Johnson, Alabama Baptist disaster relief strategist.
But recently Alabama Baptists were called up to help with the Guard’s mission — not by clearing roads but by training the Alabama National Guard in chain saw and cleanup.
According to Johnson, the Alabama National Guard had seen Alabama Baptist volunteers in action in the wake of disasters, as well as eaten meals served by their feeding units, and thought they could help fill a need for chain-saw training, something unavailable from the National Guard.
“Major Douglas Barrett expressed a need for training, citing the professionalism and track record of our personnel,” he said. “With a couple of quick calls to our state trainers, we were pleased to respond in the affirmative and began to assemble a training course that was specific to their mission.”
And Sept. 12, a team of Alabama Baptist disaster relief volunteers held training at Fort McClellan near Anniston, with each guardsman cutting down a tree during the session.
“It was an honor for me to be able to share our knowledge of safety procedures with the guardsmen,” said Ronnie Warren, Alabama Baptist disaster relief coordinator for chain saw/cleanup/recovery. “They put their lives on the line for us all the time. Knowing our involvement will help them do their job more safely when called upon is a blessing to me.”
Larry Murphy, disaster relief volunteer coordinator for Alabama Baptists, agreed that it was a great opportunity to pass the training on to “our partners in disaster relief.”
“These young men were enthused about doing what they were doing, and it opened the door of opportunity for us to continue to minister to [National Guardsmen] through the disaster relief ministry,” he said.
According to Johnson, Barrett said Alabama Baptists would receive a One Star Note of appreciation for the service.
Johnson said additional training sessions are also a possibility in the future.
“I think a lot of Alabama Baptists will be proud that the ministry extends past just disaster relief,” he said, noting that disaster relief trainers from Alabama are often requested by other state conventions and called upon by the North American Mission Board for national events.
“The volunteers’ dedication to this ministry is a testament to their devotion to reach our world for Christ,” Johnson said.
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