Free Disaster Response Training Comes to Katy to Empower Faith-Based and Local Relief Teams
In a region where hurricanes, tornadoes, and flash flooding are part of life, preparing to respond quickly and compassionately after a disaster is more than just good planning—it’s essential. Katy-based Gulf Coast Disaster Readiness (GC-DR), in partnership with The Fellowship Church and Katy Responds, is offering a free, in-person Disaster Response Training Session on Saturday, July 19, to help residents and faith-based organizations learn how to step up when it matters most.
The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at The Fellowship Church, 22765 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, TX 77450. Registration is free and open to all, but attendees must RSVP in advance via this link.
The training will focus on four core disaster response skills:
- Mucking (residential clean-out)
- Gutting (removal of damaged home structures)
- Tarping (single-story roof covering)
- Compassionate care (emotional and logistical support for families impacted by disasters)
The session also includes an overview of GC-DR’s mission and community-based model, designed to accelerate recovery efforts and empower local responders before emergencies strike.
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Building Capacity, Not Just Awareness
GC-DR’s training is grounded in a mission to prepare the faith community to act independently and effectively when disaster hits, while also encouraging collaboration across congregations, nonprofits, and small businesses. As the organization states, “We empower our Associate Members to support individuals, families, and communities affected by disasters by planning their response ahead of time.”
That strategy is more than just theoretical. According to the National Institutes of Health, community-based training programs like GC-DR’s can reduce long-term recovery costs and save lives. A 2022 NIH study found that “well-prepared local volunteers can drastically improve the timeliness and effectiveness of disaster response, especially in the first 72 hours before federal assistance arrives.”
And in Harris County—ranked in the top 0.03% of U.S. counties for disaster risk by FEMA’s National Risk Index—timing is everything.
Practical Tools and a Scalable Approach
Unlike some national models that centralize deployment, GC-DR’s approach is local-first and scalable, whether a single home or an entire neighborhood is impacted. Their training is designed to equip not just official teams, but individuals and small groups who can serve their own families, congregations, and communities with speed and compassion.
“We train leaders who can be the on-site experts and ensure work is done correctly and safely,” the organization emphasizes.
The July 19 session includes time for Q&A and next steps, and attendees will leave with hands-on knowledge, printed resources, and insight into how to prepare their own churches, nonprofits, or households for disaster scenarios. All participants—regardless of faith—are welcome. GC-DR believes strongly that “a community is strongest when it collaborates.”
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Event Schedule
- 9:30–9:45 a.m. – Check-in
- 9:45–10:00 a.m. – Welcome & Opening Prayer
- 10:00–10:30 a.m. – GC-DR and Katy Responds Presentation
- 10:30–11:45 a.m. – Hands-on Training: Mucking, Gutting, Tarping, Compassionate Care
- 11:45–12:00 p.m. – Next Steps and Q&A
GC-DR’s training model is flexible, independent, and easily replicable. Associate Members are encouraged to act when a need arises—without waiting for permission—and collaborate with others as needed. This practical model enables faith-based and civic teams across the Texas Gulf Coast to become resilient, fast-responding anchors for their neighborhoods.
A United Response for Katy and Beyond
The event is sponsored by The Fellowship Church and supported by local response partners including Katy Responds, Mosaic in Action, Southwest Houston United Responds (SHUR), and The Restoration Team (TRT). Tools and take-home resources will be provided on site.
For those interested in becoming a reliable first responder in their church, neighborhood, or nonprofit community—or just wanting to better protect their own family—the upcoming session offers an accessible entry point.
Visit GC-DR.org to learn more about Gulf Coast Disaster Readiness, or register directly here to reserve your spot for the July 19 Disaster Response Training in Katy.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more disaster preparedness events and local safety initiatives across West Houston and Katy.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
