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Work Crew Basics

Disaster Relief

North America Southeast Area

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Overview

1. Assign Crew Leaders & Organize Work Crews

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2. Collect all Tools & Equipment

Review Work Type

Assemble Tools & Equipment

Complete Online Training (e.g. Chainsaw)

Complete Online Crew Registration

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3. Organize Transportation & Accommodations

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4. Work Orders (CrisisCleanup.org)

Online Work Order Processing

https://www.crisiscleanup.org/training

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Team Captain (Crew Leader)

Assign a Crew Leader that is responsible for:

Crew Leader Priority #1 = Safety of the Crew

Collect and organize tools & equipment for the Crew

Create group text/communication channel to all Crew Members

Ensure safe operation of tools and equipment

Claim/Organize work orders – contact homeowner/call ahead (day before)

Ensure water/hydration for the Crew (take extra water for the entire Crew)

Call for frequent breaks (and take them often & together as a Crew)

Provide “Disaster Zone” authorization signage to drivers (see Command Center)

Arrive early (Friday if possible) at Command Center

Pick up “Helping Hands” T-shirts for the Crew, Collect T-shirt sizes beforehand

Ensure each Crew Member has at least 1 “Helping Hands” T-shirt

Small/Medium sizes are rarely available

Lead by example

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Vetting Work Orders

  • Claim/Organize work orders – contact homeowner/call ahead (day before)
  • Pictures of work
  • Work still needed?
  • Describe in detail what is needed?
  • Anticipated arrival day
  • Homeowner present?

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Work Crews (Team Members)

Working with Homeowners/Families & Neighbors

  • Work Together!
  • Crews of approximately 10-15 people are the best
  • Create a good mix of youth (energy) and experience (age)
  • Generally, youth should be paired w/their own parent
  • Keep families together
  • Take breaks together as a Work Crew
  • Wear your “Helping Hands” T-shirt, even if it’s dirty!
  • Serve / help your crew members
  • Have Fun!

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Work Crews (Team Members) cont.

Working with Homeowners/Families & Neighbors

  • Proactively get to know who you are serving!
  • A friendly smile, a listening ear, a hug can go a long way
  • Be respectful of their property, home, and belongings
  • Before beginning work or when finished, ask for permission to have a prayer with the family
  • In the prayer, pray for the wellbeing of

the family by name

  • Take a group picture

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Disaster Relief Work Types

“Tree Work” involves downed trees that may be on or around houses and buildings. Requires chainsaws, wheelbarrows, ropes, rakes, and Crew members moving branches and debris to a street pick-up collection point.

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o Recommend 3 chainsaws per Work Crew of 10-15 workers. Those working chainsaws must have prior experience and complete church chainsaw certification

o Extra chains and supplies are a must

o Safety is paramount for the chainsaw operator and everyone in and around the work area

o Complete chainsaw training before arrival and print out certificate

Full-time missionaries are not allowed to use chainsaws

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Disaster Relief Work Types

“House Mucking” involves removing all waterlogged contents of a home including, carpet, pad, drywall, insulation, furniture, appliances, cabinets and any other water damaged items.

  • Make sure power and other utilities are off!
  • Crews wear masks (N95 rating or higher) to avoid exposure to potential mold buildup
  • Recommend at least 2-3 wheelbarrows/sleds per Work Crew
  • Each Crew should have multiple hammers, and multiple “Flat” square bladed shovels to scrape and load the debris into wheelbarrows to be hauled out to the street pick-up collection point
  • Where possible, the undamaged “dry” sheetrock that remains should be cut so that full 4’ x 8’ replacement sheets can be easily re-hung
  • Hammers can be used to remove the old sheetrock screws/nails
  • Appliance dollies are useful for removing appliances and cabinets
  • Be respectful to the homeowner and their personal items

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZWShxk4OSo

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Disaster Relief Work Types

“Tarp Work” involves covering missing shingles, damaged roofs, or holes in roofs caused by high winds or flying debris.

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  • Large tarps, wood furring strips, and nails are supplied by the Church at the Command Center
  • “Furring strips” are used to secure the tarp along the edges and at intervals in order to avoid wind from getting under the tarp and tearing it or blowing it off the roof
  • Use extra caution on damaged or older roofs that may be unstable
  • With a Sharpie or black marker, mark on the tarp “DON’T STEP!” where there is a hole or soft/weak areas on the roof
  • Don’t cover vents

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Disaster Relief Work Types

  • Crew Leaders must actively exercise good judgement and counsel with the work crew.
  • Crew Leaders decline to perform work if they feel it is inappropriate, unsafe, or does not align with Church leaders’ priorities.
  • Crew Leaders are responsible for the conduct and safety of the whole team

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Suggested Tools & Equipment-Trees

  • Chainsaws
  • Chainsaw supplies
    • Fuel
    • 2-Stroke Oil
    • Bar Oil
    • Extra Chains
    • Wedges
  • Chainsaw Safety gear
    • Gloves
    • Goggles
    • Ear Plugs
    • Chaps
    • Hard Hats
  • Wheelbarrow / Handtruck / Sled
    • Ropes
    • Rakes
  • Garbage Bags
  • First Aid Kit

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  • Hydration:
    • Coolers/Ice
    • Water

*We encourage you to bring your own personal supply items, but note all of listed supplies are available to you at the command center to supplement the supplies of your team

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Suggested Tools & Equipment-Muck Out

  • Square Nose Shovels
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Debris Sleds
  • Hand Truck/Dollie
  • Hammers
  • Pry Bars
  • Drywall Saws
  • Cordless Drill
  • Utility Knives
  • Chalk Line
  • Dust Pans
  • Push Brooms
  • Garbage Bags
  • First Aid Kit
  • Garbage Bags
  • N95 Mask
  • Hydration:
    • Coolers/Ice
    • Water

*We encourage you to bring your own personal supply items, but note all of listed supplies are available to you at the command center to supplement the supplies of your team

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Suggested Tools & Equipment-Tarp

  • Ladders (at least 14 foot, extension)
  • Hammers
  • Utility Knives
  • Tarps
  • Furring Strips
  • Nails

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  • First Aid Kit
  • Garbage Bags
  • Sharpie / Black marker
  • Hydration:
    • Coolers/Ice
    • Water

*We encourage you to bring your own personal supply items, but note all of listed supplies are available to you at the command center to supplement the supplies of your team

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Personal Equipment

  • Gloves
  • Safety Glasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Repellent
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Soap
  • Paper Towels

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  • Snacks
  • Masks (N95)
  • Water / Gatorade
  • Cash
  • Electronic tablet / laptop
  • Extra Fuel
  • Smiles ☺

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Be Self-Sufficient

  • Work Crews are expected to be self-sufficient
  • Bring water, food, & shelter if camping at command center
  • Tent camping may be available, but in larger recovery efforts, parks & fairgrounds have been used
  • Battery powered fans, extension cords, are helpful
  • In some areas, hotels are available, but care should be taken that we are not displacing local residences and not increasing our travel time to and from work sites.

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Training Videos