Gulf Coast Disaster Readiness, a program of Katy Responds’ Tri-County Response program, is scheduling disaster response trainings throughout the Houston area in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season beginning June 1.

Local congregations can also host a training session of their own, according to the Katy Responds newsletter. One of the key topics is designed to provide members with guidelines on disaster preparation processes. Training can also be designed to include vital information for your congregation and community.

The first scheduled community session, titled “Individual Preparedness and Muck/Gut/Tarp” will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rainbow Baptist Church, 30759 North Highway 146 in Cleveland.

The program agenda includes:

· Individual and Family Preparedness includes helping individuals and families prepare for disasters. Topics include being informed, making a family disaster plan, building a disaster kit, preparing to live without power or communication, taking precautions before a storm, and knowing what to do after the storm.

· Mucking, Gutting, and Tarping (GC-DR), includes training for response teams to be able to safely and correctly muck and gut a home so that it can dry out and prevent further damages while waiting for repairs. This course also includes assisting a renter and a home owner with their damaged property. Resources for the residents that include information about what items can be salvaged and what items can’t be salvaged are vital to their recovery. This course also trains on the correct method for installing a temporary tarp over a damaged roof to reduce further damage.

Target: Individuals and families who want to know how to prepare for disasters, persons interested in sharing preparedness information within their congregations, networks, organizations, clients, and potential trainers.

Who should attend Individuals and families who want to know how to prepare for disasters, persons interested in sharing preparedness information within their congregations, networks, organizations, clients, and potential trainers. Anyone who anticipates that they will work in their own home, their relative’s home, or their neighbor’s homes, either individually or as a member of a team and potential trainers.

Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5IWoM4LI5Niar9Tcbllt2mEPVAb9cdo6FHaa6mAhkGnBqtA/viewform?usp=sharing

To see additional training events, go to www.gc-dr.org/events-2-1.

Katy Responds, a local nonprofit organization based at 22765 Westheimer Parkway in Katy, organizes and leads home restoration projects for families in need. For more information, go to katyresponds.org.