Zion Lutheran Church in Beecher is hosting a LERT Training Workshop on Tuesday evening, August 3rd. Registration and a light supper at 5:30 with class from 6-9 pm.

Registration is $20 and helps cover the cost of the training materials, meal, and the LERT T-shirt, which is required to be worn in a disaster response situation. Registration can be paid by credit card online at time of registration or by cash or check at the door. To register click here.

In order to better manage volunteers and resources, FEMA is finalizing a guideline on credentialing volunteers for large-scale disasters. The federal guidelines indicate that volunteers responding to a disaster should be trained and certified. LCC is providing training for Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) throughout our district. Should a disaster strike these teams would be put on call and may be asked to deploy in 72 hours or less to the disaster site.

This training will prepare team member for credentialing and will focus on the safety, work, and ministry of Lutherans as Early Responders.

Click here to register. For more information call Dianna Bonfield at 866-455-6466

LCC is planning another training session in August. Please watch the website and newsletter for future training dates and locations.

Lutheran Church Charities is looking for congregations to serve as host congregations for L.E.R.T.Training for 2010. This past fall we were able to train 100 L.E.R.T volunteers but there are a large number of individuals who were not able to make the training but still want to go through the training. For more details on becoming a host congregation or about L.E.R.T contact Dianna Bonfield at 866-455-6466.

In the event of a disaster, as of January 2010, by federal guidelines, any volunteers responding to a disaster must be trained and certified or they will be turned away. Over a year ago LCC started making plans for providing training for and establishing Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) through out our district. Should a disaster happen these teams would be put on call and may be asked to deploy in 72 hours or less to respond to the disaster.

The core areas covered in the training are:

• Ministry Opportunities
• Chainsaw Safety - All LERT members will receive the chain saw safety training. If you are want to serve on the team as a chain saw operator you must also be chain saw certified. Only certified trained volunteers may operate chainsaws or be within 6' of a running saw. For those individuals chainsaw operation certification will take place at a separate time and location to be announced.
• Clean Up & Debris Removal
• Trap & Patch Safety
• Muck Out Training
• Flood & Storm Surge Training
• 3 Phases of Disaster Work
• 4 Phases of Emotions
• National Credentialing

Meanwhile, between now and then, if you already have any of the following certificates in CERT training, NIMS training, or American Red Cross Training, make a copy of the certificate(s) and mail to Lutheran Church Charities, Attn. Dianna Bonfield so that we may start preparing your packets to be sent to the Synod office of Lutheran World Relief & Human Care Services. At your completion of the LERT training the Synod is certified to then credential you as a LERT Volunteer.

Through four training sessions, LCC has trained over 100 LERT volunteers this fall. Since the first of the year we have had a good number of people inquiring when & where we will be offering LERT Training this year.

Wednesday March 3rd - Concordia University Chicago hosted their first LERT Training session for students and faculty. Twenty two people enrolled in the training to become Lutheran Early Response Team members. For years, Concordia students and faculty have been very involved in responding to help with disasters. The LERT training will position them to be able to continue responding to disasters as needed.

If your church or group would like to host a LERT training session, please contact Tim Hetzner or Dianna Bonfield at (866) 455-6466 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Two more training sessions are scheduled this fall:

• Thursday, Oct 29th at St. Peter, Lutheran Church, Schaumburg. Illinois. The sessions will run from 6 PM to 9 PM A light meal will be provided at 5:30 for $5.00.
• Tuesday, Nov 3rd at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomingon, Illinois from 6 PM to 9 PM.  A light meal will be offered at 5:30 for $5.00.