Deployment Information for Helene

Grindstone Ministries  

Eastern Tennessee Deployment OCT 2024 

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO EMAILING – WE’VE TRIED TO  ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS WE CAN TO CONTROL INBOX OVERWHELM 

General help/labor hands and feet: 

  1. YOU MUST EMAIL SERVE@GRINDSTONEMINISTRIES.COM and be approved for any and all volunteer opportunities. We appreciate your willingness to support, but we have to control access and follow proper protocol to have a safe and effective effort. 
  2. At this time, we will not be accepting any more inbound volunteers until mid-October – Early November 
  3. We need these people to be able to commit to a week on site as it takes time to bring  new folks up to speed and effectively assign duties. 
  4. We need people who are ready and able to take any assignment needed, even if you are  presenting with a specialized ability and skillset.  
  5. If you want to come and serve in any capacity, we need volunteers who are able to  come for 7-10 days 

*****DO NOT COME TO THE FOB WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL***** 

Prior to departure email serve@grindstoneministries.com and wait for a response.  We will respond as quickly as possible and appreciate your willingness to support GSM. 

Teams are tasked with specific tasks daily and teams will be formed for operations out into the field. 

If you have been approved to volunteer we have an allocated space for you to sleep out of the weather.  We have shower facilities as well. 

There are local campgrounds in the area we are unaware of the status or availability of such. Be prepared to self sustain, we have restaurants open and operating within 20 minutes of our FOB; we try to provide food at every opportunity. 

We will be trying to keep the Info PDF and the Amazon wishlist updated. Links to both are  found at GrindstoneMinistries.com - please check there for answers to FAQs.  

Again, THANK YOU for the overwhelming response of everyone!

Deployment Packing List: 

  • Every Day Carry & concealed carry permit (if applicable) 
  • Phones; CHARGED battery packs, charging cables, charging stations 
  • Wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer 
  • Minimum (1) full tank of fuel for POV in 5-gal cans or transfer tanks 
  • Rucksack w/ 7 days work clothing, toiletries, towel, EXTRA SOCKS 
  • Food & water to self-support for 7-10 days 
  • 2 PROGRAMMED UHF/VHF radios, chargers, batteries 
  • IFAK w/ TQ (recommend Refuge Medical) worn on body;rehydration salts 
  • 2 Pair sturdy footware (1 on to wear, 1 to dry out) 
  • Shower shoes, flip flops, slide etc. to wear at FOB 
  • Sleep Kit: cot, ground pad, air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow, wool blanket, etc. 
  • Notebook, pens, pencils, sharpies (recommend Write-in-Rain or similar) 
  • PPE: safety vest, eye pro, ear pro, sturdy gloves, hard hat 
  • Flashlight, and headlamp, and minimum 2 sets spare batteries 
  • OTC & prescription meds 7-10 days, as required 
  • Bible 
  • Swimwear (baptisms have been known to spontaneously occur) 
  • Handheld GPS, compass, maps 

Specialty Equipment – If you know how to use it, bring it 

  • Chainsaws: mixed fuel, bar oil, spare chains, files, etc. 
  • Heavy Equipment: skidsteers, trackhoes, offroad forklifts 
  • Dump Trailers, Dump Trucks, 4x4 Pickups, Side-by-Sides, Box trucks, Flatbeds 
  • Mechanics tools, mobile shop/maintenance equipment, fluids 
  • SAR & Medical Equipment – IF PROPERLY TRAINED/CREDENTIALED 
  • Long-range communications & internet equipment 
  • Food preparation equipment & consumables (KOSHER) 
  • Recovery & rigging equipment – IF PROPERLY TRAINED/CREDENTIALED 
  • FOB assets: Fuel, Fuel transfer tanks & equipment, generators, light plants, shower & bath trailers, office trailers, camper trailers, logistics  equipment, toiletries, consumables