Billy Graham ministry launches Rapid Response Teams in the UK

The UK division will be headed up by the former volunteer recruitment and development officer at Bible Society, Mike Freeman.

He said that although there were already organisations in the UK providing physical assistance in times of crisis, there was a shortage of people specially trained in grief and trauma support.

“Our aim is to establish a network of individuals across the UK specially trained in providing assistance to those badly affected by disasters – natural or the result of human action – by offering emotional and spiritual assistance,” he said.

“We will help not only survivors and the relatives and friends of victims, but also emergency services personnel who may be adversely affected by their involvement.

“The role of the RRT is focused on listening to people, praying with them, helping them to grieve and to deal emotionally and spiritually with disaster.”

Mr Freeman, a former police officer, will work to establish 24 teams of volunteers across the UK by the end of 2010. The first public training event will be held in Shipley in Yorkshire on October 10.

Similar to the US model, the volunteers could be called upon at any time to help victims and work with other disaster organisations in the event of a major incident.

The Rapid Response ministry is well established in the US, where it has responded to major disasters like Hurricane Katrina and tragedies such as the fatal campus shooting at Virginia Tech.

The UK division will add to the international network of Rapid Response Teams, which the BGEA has expanded from its US base since the 9/11 attacks.

Simon Barrington, Chief Executive of the BGEA UK, said: “We are extremely fortunate to have secured the services of Mike Freeman, as his experience gained when commanding the policing of major incidents, allied to his training and recruitment skills, make him the ideal person to develop this initiative.

“Close liaison with the appropriate authorities, emergency services and existing support organisations is integral to this approach and Mike’s knowledge and contacts will be invaluable in achieving this.”