JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–The Florida Baptist Men’s Department will sponsor eight regional training sessions for persons interested in participating in the state disaster relief ministry.

“By participating in our training a willing volunteer can be ready to meet the challenge of a disaster as a part of our team,” Wilson said. “Without regular training, we cannot be ready to effectively respond to the immediate need created by a disaster.”

Training will be divided into two phases. Phase one is for individuals who have never participated in the state disaster relief ministry, or have not been trained or responded since 2000. This phase introduces the partnership between Southern Baptists and the American Red Cross and includes a “hands-on” orientation. Phase two is designed for individuals who have been trained and responded within the past 4 years and offers volunteers applied training in the specialty skills of their choice.

Conferences are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held throughout the state on the following dates: Feb. 26, Cutler Ridge Baptist Church, Miami; March 12, First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda; April 2, First Baptist Church, Chipley; April 16, First Baptist Church Poinciana, Kissimmee; May 14, First Baptist Church, Sebring; June 11, Rocky Bayou Baptist Church, Niceville; June 25, First Baptist Church, Ocala. Areas of applied training include feeding, clean up and recovery, child care (not offered Feb. 26, April 2, 16 or June 25), water purification and emergency communications (not offered Feb. 26 or June 25). Register to attend onsite. Cost is $20 for phase one and $10 for phase two. For information the location of specific specialty training building a disaster relief unit, contact the Florida Baptist Men’s Department at 800-226-8584, ext. 3121 or e-mail disaster@flbaptist.org.