Few programs, if any, are equipped to handle a disaster more quickly or efficiently than McKinney’s own Minuteman Disaster Response team. Founded out of a desire by a local church to send help after the dreadful day of May 22, 2011, when an EF5 tornado killed 161 and injured 1,150 in Joplin, Missouri, their mission has become, "to save lives and provide assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.”
"To save lives and provide assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.”
The team’s first five years were dedicated mainly to search and rescue efforts. By 2017, the team was composed of about 30 members. That is the year they launched the relief team, and now they have about 120 volunteers to support the initial team. The team and these volunteers leave their families and jobs sometimes for days when called to help, but for events such as Hurricane Harvey, the organization was deployed for 50 days, alternately using 100 volunteers.
The unit covers Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. They have already helped at least 18 communities recover from various disasters from flooding to tornadoes to hurricanes. The most recent, at the time of this writing, was in Oklahoma the week of May 19. Numerous tornadoes had spread across the state, and on that Monday, two teams of storm trackers were sent to watch where the weather was going to be most dangerous. They jumped into action once the tornadoes started, along with voluminous rains that created flooding of the Arkansas River from the Keystone Lake Dam west of Tulsa down to Webber’s Falls.
How are they so quick to the scene?
With their own storm tracking capabilities, they can be there more expediently since they already know where the worst is going to happen. Many of those whom they have helped said they never knew of Minuteman Disaster Response (MDR), didn’t know how they got there so fast, but certainly were happy to see them.
The unit is also self-sufficient, so they don’t drain resources from the already-affected area. They are equipped to house their members wherever they go through the use of multiple trailers, each designed to provide a communication center, sleeping quarters, showers and restrooms.
They are equipped to house their members wherever they go through the use of multiple trailers, each designed to provide a communication center, sleeping quarters, showers and restrooms.
If MDR sounds like something you would be interested in helping, you may do so in various ways. First, you can donate. As you can tell from their activities and required equipment, their efforts require significant funding. What could be a little donation on your part could add up to a lot for the team. Second, you may volunteer if you are at least 18 years old. And, if you have always thought you might want to help but didn’t know how or were afraid of getting in the way, don’t worry. All volunteers go through training that includes two hours of online training and prepares volunteers to be deployment ready when the next call comes. There is also advanced training for those who want to have task-specific training. Finally, you can become a sponsor. If you own a company and want to get involved, you can join their current list of sponsors who help significantly.
Visit MinuteManResponse.org to learn more about the disasters from which this fantastic organization has helped recover. Please consider donating, volunteering, or sponsoring this 501(c)(3) organization.
Well done, Minuteman Disaster Response!