Disasters—The Before and After

In their seminar this week titled Disasters: The Before and After, Jim and Becky Ingersoll shared life-saving tips for dealing with a variety of emergencies. Drawing from more than four decades in Adventist education and years of leadership in disaster response, these two leaders of the 2Serve Disaster Response Team equipped attendees to respond effectively during crises, especially in the critical window before firefighters and EMTs arrive.

Throughout Wednesday’s presentation, they emphasized that ordinary citizens can save lives when properly trained. The audience was introduced to CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) strategies, which focus on practical actions that can be taken safely and effectively in times of crisis. Attendees learned the importance of teamwork, personal safety, and prioritizing actions that benefit the greatest number of people. Since emergency services such as 911 may be overwhelmed during large-scale disasters, being prepared to step in can make a significant difference.

Fire safety was a central theme. The Ingersolls taught how to perform a “fire size-up,” which involves evaluating the fire type, identifying hazards, planning an escape route, and determining whether the available equipment and conditions permit safe intervention. Attendees were trained to use a fire extinguisher following the PASS method—Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep—and were cautioned against fighting large fires or entering smoke-filled areas. They also reviewed the fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, and heat) and the four classes of fire, from common combustibles to electrical and chemical sources.

The seminar also covered how to handle electrical and utility emergencies. Knowing where to find circuit breakers, fuse boxes, and gas shutoff valves can prevent further damage and danger. The presenters encouraged labeling shutoff points clearly and acquiring basic tools (available at most hardware stores) to operate quickly in an emergency.

Hazardous materials were another area of focus. Using the LIES method (Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate), attendees learned how to store chemicals safely and how to interpret safety labels, including the NFPA quadrant and Global Harmonized System symbols.

By the end of the presentation, one message was clear: preparedness is not only about protecting yourself, but also about becoming a lifeline for your family, your church, and your community, especially when it matters most.

— Mauricio Schiavenin