DATE: Saturday, August 29, 2026
TIME: 9AM – 5PM
LOCATION: Sayers Memorial UMC, 6101 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
UMCOR Early Response Team (ERT) training is an 8-hour certification course that prepares volunteers to assist communities safely during the initial phase of a natural disaster. The program teaches safe debris removal, roof tarping, mucking out, and survivor care, providing credentials to enter restricted disaster zones.
Training Overview & Requirements
Course Length: About 8 hours for basic certification; shorter sessions (3–4 hours) are available for 3-year recertification.
Age Requirement: Must be 18 years or older.
Mandatory Screening: Completion of an UMCOR background check.
Cost: FREE due to a generous donor, which will cover materials, a badge, and a T-shirt.
What You Learn
Safety Protocols: How to prevent further property damage safely without becoming a burden to the local community.
Core Skills: Basic home tarping (“blue-tarp”), clearing flood debris (“mud-out”), and initial damage assessment.
Care & Ethics: Providing a calm, caring Christian presence and interacting respectfully with traumatized survivors.