Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3100 Starkey Rd, Trinity, FL from 9 - 2 on Saturday April 25, 2026.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs and how Lutherans can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during a disaster.  

A lunch will be provided. The registration fee is $35 - individual, $60 - couple, or $75 - family, and will cover the costs of manuals, ID Badge, trainer expenses and a T-shirt. Cash or checks, payable to "Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response" or "FGLER", or credit card (3% fee added).

Training material will be distributed on the day of training by your LERT Trainer, and afterwards by the coordinator. Registration should be completed two weeks prior to the training date. For questions or additional information, please contact Mark Trivilino, (913) 209-9324, TMA41@yahoo.com. 

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand. This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond. At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing: MERCY! Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do. This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community. After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:

*Christian care in times of disaster

*A Ministry of Presence

*The LERT Program and how it works with other responders 

*Introduction to Disaster Response

*Service Opportunities after a Disaster & Safety Protocol

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 165 Camden Woods Pkwy E, Kingsland, GA  from 6 - 10 on Friday, May 15, 2026.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs and how Lutherans can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during a disaster.  

A light dinner will be provided. The registration fee will be covered by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, which will cover the costs of manuals, ID Badge, trainer expenses and a T-shirt.  Training material will be distributed on day of training and after the training.  Registration should be completed two weeks prior to the training date. For questions or additional information, please contact Marcia Potter at marciapotter705@gmail.com.

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand. This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond. At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing: MERCY! Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do. This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community. After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:

*Christian care in times of disaster

*A Ministry of Presence

*The LERT Program and how it works with other responders 

*Introduction to Disaster Response

*Service Opportunities after a Disaster & Safety Protocol

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Basic Chainsaw training on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 165 Camden Woods Pkwy, Kingsland, GA 31548. Chainsaw training is offered to enhance the capabilities of LERT volunteers, enabling them to assist those who may lack the resources or skills to perform this hazardous work. The goal of this training is to ensure LERT members are properly prepared to serve safely and efficiently. 

 

Training topics include: chainsaw safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), injury prevention, bucking and limbing fallen trees, and safe debris removal.

 

Prerequisite:

Participants must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training class.

 

When registering, choose one of two options:

1.  Morning Session Only (4 hours): LERT Chainsaw Safety

·      Classroom-based safety training only

·      Does not include hands-on chainsaw operation

·      Participants will learn how to work safely with and around chainsaw operations

·      Open to all LERT-qualified volunteers, even if they do not plan to operate a chainsaw

 

2. Morning + Afternoon Sessions (8 hours total): LERT Chainsaw Safety and Operator

·      Includes the morning classroom safety session and the afternoon hands-on training

·      Required for anyone who wants hands-on chainsaw operation training

·      Completion of both sessions is required to be authorized as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator for disaster response.

 

Age Requirements:

Anyone age 16 or older may attend.Participants ages 16–17 may not operate a chainsaw but may train and serve as draggers.

 

Safety Gear & Equipment (required for afternoon hands-on participants):

Chainsaw safety PPE: helmet, eye protection, gloves, chaps, and steel-toed bootsSteel-toed work boots are mandatory; tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops are not permittedOutdoor work clothing appropriate for the weather; shorts are prohibitedParticipants should bring their own chainsaw, bar oil, and fuel mix if availableSome training chainsaws and PPE will be provided if needed

 

Training Costs:

Morning safety classroom only: $15/individual, $25/couple; add $5/family member (3+)Morning + Afternoon (Chainsaw Safety and Operator): $50/individual, $85/couple, $100/family (3+)Payment may be made by cash or check at the training, or credit card.Shirt, snacks, lunch, and beverages provided.

 

Contact Info:

Should you have any questions, please contact Joel Mathews at (813) 215-8098 or at jmathews@fgler.org. 

The Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, in partnership with the Florida-Georgia District and Trinity Lutheran Church, will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Intermediate Chainsaw training on Friday, May 29, 2026. Training will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2535 Jefferson Road, Athens, GA. The chainsaw training serves to increase our dedicated LERT volunteer’s capabilities to help those who haven’t the means or skills to perform this dangerous work following a disaster. We want to equip LERT members with the ability to provide this service safely and efficiently. 

Lunch is provided. 

You must have previously completed both the Basic LERT training class AND the LERT Basic Chainsaw class to participate in this class. This is an Intermediate level class; LERT chainsaw operators must be comfortable operating a chainsaw.

During the training, you will learn the following:

Safe operation of a chainsaw in more complex sawing situationsHow to fell treesHow to clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner

Participants should bring, if they have:

Chainsaw, bar oil, gas-oil or synthetic fuel mixChaps and other Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, eye protection, gloves, steel-toed boots)Participants must wear steel-toed work boots. Tennis shoes or sandals/flip-flops are not allowed in the afternoon session.Outdoor work clothes and boots appropriate for the weather at the time. Shorts not allowed.Some chainsaws and PPE may be available for training if you do not have your own. Those under the age of 18 will not be allowed to operate a chainsaw. 

Training Costs: 

LERT qualified Chainsaw Operator - $50Payment may be made at the time of training. Cash, checks (payable to "Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response", or credit card accepted. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Joel Mathews at (813) 215-8098 or at joel@mercydisasterresources.org. 

 

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Basic Chainsaw training on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2535 Jefferson Road, Athens, GA. Chainsaw training is offered to enhance the capabilities of LERT volunteers, enabling them to assist those who may lack the resources or skills to perform this hazardous work. The goal of this training is to ensure LERT members are properly prepared to serve safely and efficiently. 

 

Training topics include: chainsaw safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), injury prevention, bucking and limbing fallen trees, and safe debris removal.

 

Prerequisite:

Participants must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training class.

 

When registering, choose one of two options:

1.  Morning Session Only (4 hours): LERT Chainsaw Safety

·      Classroom-based safety training only

·      Does not include hands-on chainsaw operation

·      Participants will learn how to work safely with and around chainsaw operations

·      Open to all LERT-qualified volunteers, even if they do not plan to operate a chainsaw

 

2. Morning + Afternoon Sessions (8 hours total): LERT Chainsaw Safety and Operator

·      Includes the morning classroom safety session and the afternoon hands-on training

·      Required for anyone who wants hands-on chainsaw operation training

·      Completion of both sessions is required to be authorized as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator for disaster response.

 

Age Requirements:

Anyone age 16 or older may attend.Participants ages 16–17 may not operate a chainsaw but may train and serve as draggers.

 

Safety Gear & Equipment (required for afternoon hands-on participants):

Chainsaw safety PPE: helmet, eye protection, gloves, chaps, and steel-toed bootsSteel-toed work boots are mandatory; tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops are not permittedOutdoor work clothing appropriate for the weather; shorts are prohibitedParticipants should bring their own chainsaw, bar oil, and fuel mix if availableSome training chainsaws and PPE will be provided if needed

 

Training Costs:

Morning safety classroom only: $15/individual, $25/couple; add $5/family member (3+)Morning + Afternoon (Chainsaw Safety and Operator): $50/individual, $85/couple, $100/family (3+)Payment may be made by cash or check at the training, or credit card.Shirt, snacks, lunch, and beverages provided.

 

Contact Info:

Should you have any questions, please contact Joel Mathews at (813) 215-8098 or at jmathews@fgler.org.