We live in a fallen world. Romans 8 reveals that all creation is groaning under sin and waiting for the redemption that will only occur at the final advent of Christ. In the meantime, humans do all we can to prevent emergencies and disasters. When we can’t prevent them, we try to minimize the suffering and destruction that they cause.
Jesus also calls His people to fight for justice for the prisoners. Many people worldwide have been unjustly imprisoned for holding different political views from those in power. More troubling to Christians, many brother and sisters in Christ are imprisoned for their faith in Him. Anyone, from groups to individuals, can write letters to prisoners to encourage them in righteousness and push for their release, knowing that their captors will undoubtedly see the letters as well.
Disaster and Emergency Operations Center
Activities:
- Global monitoring – air traffic, marine traffic, satellite, weather, disaster
- Emergency and Disaster education
- Coordination between national and international partners, especially churches, and local organizations in affected areas, for emergency and disaster relief.
- Firefighter and disaster relief services
- Wise direction of prayer and resources.
Conclusion
The team at MDHI plays a role in emergency and disaster preparedness and response. We work with the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department and the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists. In addition to normal fire and disaster duties, we provide chaplaincy services, including preaching, teaching, counseling, and music.
Pick up a copy of the Firefighter 1 and 2 Study Guide. It will help you pass your FF 1 and 2 classes, and is a great review for more experienced firefighters.
Resource Links
Aircraft Incidents
Animal Incidents
Crime Operations
- Community Crime Map – LexisNexis
- CityProtect – US and Canadian crime information by locality
- Mapping Police Violence – USA
Disease Outbreak and Mortality Operations
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC)
- HealthMap – Disease outbreak mapping worldwide
- CDC Current Outbreak Maps
- US General Mortality Database (CDC)
Disaster Operations
- Emergency Events Database (EMDAT – UN and Belgium)
- Environmental Emergencies Center (WHO, OCHA)
- Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (United Nations and European Commission)
- Pacific Disaster Center
- Relief Web – Global disaster management information
- RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service
International Organizations
- European Commission Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
- European Commission Public Health
- International SOS (ISOS) – Medical and Travel Security and Medical Evacuation
- Internet Mapping to Aid Humanitarian Operations – Humanitarian Open Street Map
- Pan American Health Organization (UN)
- World Health Organization (UN)
General Information
- Data USA – Publicly available US data
- Elevation Map – elevation and directions all over the world
- Google Translate – Online translator
- ITranslate – App translator
- Mapcarta – World Maps
- National Geographic Maps
- Omniglot – World languages and phrases
- Operation World – a Daily Prayer Guide to Every Nation
- Our World in Data – global data and analysis
- Statista – global business data and analysis
- Time and Date – date calculator, time zone converters, perpetual calendar, international dialing codes and meeting planners
- US Data and Statistics – US Government
- US Nation’s Report Card – education
- US traffic and road closure information – traffic alerts, cameras, and other information from the Federal Highway Administration
- World Clock – time anywhere in the world
- US Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book – Maps and statistics on every country
- World Mapper – maps highlighting different aspects of the world
News
- Al Jazeera (Arab World)
- Associated Press (AP – International)
- BBC News (British Broadcasting Company – UK)
- China Daily News (US Edition)
- CNN (Cable News Network – US)
- Der Spiegel (German News Magazine)
- Deutsche Welle (German News)
- El Mundo (Spanish language News Magazine)
- Fox News (US)
- International Newspapers Online
- Jerusalem Post (Israel)
- People’s Daily News (China Communist Party)
- Reporters without Borders (Media freedom advocates)
- Reuters News Agency (International)
- Times of India
- Wall Street Journal
- World News Group
Prison Involvement
- Prison Fellowship
- Prisoners of Faith
- US Government – interacting with prisoners
- Without Just Cause political prisoners campaign
Response Organizations
- Baptist Global Response/Send Relief – Christian disaster relief and development
- Brethren Disaster Ministries – Christian disaster relief
- Business Executives for National Security – Partnership of businesses for security, including disaster preparation and response.
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- Food for the Hungry – Christian ministry addressing short and long term hunger
- Hands On Network – Volunteer organization including disaster relief
- Humanitarian Response
- International Committee of the Red Cross – Disaster relief
- International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- Médecins Sans Frontières – International medical relief
- Mennonite Disaster Service
- National Disaster Interfaith Network
- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster – Nonprofit, nonpartisan US disaster coalition
- Points of Light – Volunteer foundation
- Reliefweb – A clearinghouse of relief organizations
- Samaritan’s Purse – Christian disaster relief
- World Vision – Christian disaster relief
Security and Terrorism
- Cybersecurity – US Department of Homeland Security
- Economic security – US Department of Homeland Security
- FBI Counterterrorism
- National Counterterrorism Center
- Rand Terrorism Database (RAND)
- Transportation security – US Department of Homeland Security
- US State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism (Annual Country Reports)
Training and the US Government
- Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Readiness
- FEMA Incident Command System resource center
- FEMA Emergency Management Institute – Disaster Training
- National Interagency Fire Center
- Sphere Handbook
- Yale-Tulane-Sacred Heart ESF-8 University
Weather, Earth, and Climate