Emergency

For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in the shelter of his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tent; he will set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:5

Emergency Response
At Made to Walk, we believe preparation and compassion save lives. Emergencies don’t wait for the perfect moment—they demand clear action and steady leadership. That’s why we train frontline responders, from nonprofit volunteers to professionals, to be ready before, during, and after a crisis.
Before a Crisis
We help you prepare with proactive tools like Premortem Thinking, customized emergency response plans, and training drills that give your team confidence. We also guide you in mapping out resources so everyone knows where to turn when seconds matter.
During a Crisis
When an emergency strikes, people need calm leadership. Our trainings equip you to respond with trauma-informed care, practice clear incident command, and apply conflict de-escalation skills so you can protect both your team and the people you serve.
After a Crisis
Recovery takes more than cleanup. We provide frameworks for psychological first aid, after-action reviews, and community care strategies that help individuals and organizations process trauma and begin to rebuild. We also train leaders to guard against burnout, so teams stay resilient long after the headlines fade.
Building Long-Term Resilience
Emergencies will always come—but they don’t have to leave you unprepared. With strong policies, leadership development, and cross-agency collaboration, we help you create sustainable systems of care that protect both your mission and your people.

In every stage of an emergency, our goal is the same: to equip you to lead with wisdom, compassion, and purpose—so no crisis has to end in chaos.

Prepare those that serve

Create a Crisis Management strategy plan

You never want to be in a position that leaves you saying
 "We were not prepared because we never thought it would happen here." 

Emergency FAQ

Do I have to have an emergecy plan?

Legally, not every organization is required to have a written emergency plan—but every organization benefits from having one. Emergencies are unpredictable, and without a plan, teams often end up reacting in chaos rather than responding with clarity.
At Made to Walk, we emphasize that an emergency plan isn’t about creating a thick binder that sits on a shelf. It’s about giving your leaders, staff, and volunteers a clear framework so they know:
  • Who does what when a crisis happens.
  • How to communicate quickly and effectively.
  • What steps to take first to protect people, property, and your mission.
Even small churches and nonprofits can build a simple, effective plan that fits their size and resources. Having one in place not only saves time and lives, it also reduces liability and increases confidence in your leadership when people need it most.
In short: you don’t have to have one by law—but you can’t afford not to have one in practice.

What if we don't have many natural disasters in my area?

That’s great news—but emergencies aren’t limited to hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods. Most crises that churches, nonprofits, and organizations face have nothing to do with natural disasters. They often involve:
  • Medical emergencies (heart attacks, injuries, fainting).
  • Conflict situations (domestic disputes, disruptions, or violence).
  • Community crises (trauma, grief, or unexpected loss).
  • Operational breakdowns (power outages, communication failures, accidents).
At Made to Walk, our training prepares you for the full spectrum of emergencies, not just natural disasters. Whether it’s responding to an individual in distress or coordinating during a large-scale crisis, having a plan in place ensures your team responds with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
In short: fewer natural disasters doesn’t mean fewer emergencies. Preparedness is about protecting people in all situations.By broadening your scope and preparing to serve others in times of need, your organization can extend its reach and be a beacon of help in the wider community.

Won't an emergency training scare new volunteers?

That’s a common concern—but in reality, emergency training usually has the opposite effect. Rather than causing fear, it builds confidence and peace of mind.
New volunteers often feel anxious about “what if” situations. By walking them through simple, practical steps, we help remove the uncertainty that creates fear. Our trainings are:
  • Trauma-informed – presented with care and sensitivity, not shock value.
  • Practical – focused on clear actions they can actually take.
  • Empowering – volunteers leave knowing they’re better equipped, not overwhelmed.
Most participants tell us they feel relieved after training, because they know they won’t be left guessing if something goes wrong. Far from scaring people away, emergency training shows your volunteers that you value their safety and the safety of those they serve.
In short: training reduces fear—it doesn’t create it.

will i be provided a manuel/handbook?

Yes. Every training through Made to Walk comes with practical, take-home resources tailored to your team. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all binders that gather dust. Instead, we provide:
  • A manual/handbook that covers the key principles we teach.
  • Step-by-step guides for responding to acute, chronic, and complex trauma.
  • Customizable templates and checklists you can adapt to your organization.
  • Access to ongoing resources—digital downloads, refresher tools, and updates as best practices evolve.
Our goal is to make sure you walk away not only with knowledge, but also with a clear, usable reference you can rely on when real emergencies occur.
In short: yes—you’ll leave with a handbook you can actually use, not just notes from a workshop.



Questions about Emergency Planning?

We love to clarify volunteering requirements. Please reach out if you still have questions.