LERT Chainsaw Operators from six states came together at North Florida Christian Camp, Keystone Heights, FL, the first week of February 2025 for three days of advanced chainsaw training. Under the guidance of five Senior LERT Chainsaw Instructors they learned how to safely fell trees, use ropes and rigging, and address more complext storm damaged tree situations. 

FGLER Director and LERT Sr. Chainsaw Instructor Joel Mathews said that "through this training, participants are much better to work safely and efficiently, and will better prepare them to serve as Team Leaders". 

Thank you to the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and LCMS Disaster Response for helping fund this training event.

The Office of National Mission of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) has awarded FGLER a $100,000 National Disaster Response Grant.

FGLER was once again blessed beyond measure with this grant. We will utilize this grant to purchase a truck to pull our equipment trailers, a dump trailer to be used for transporting one of our Bobcat Mini Track Loaders and tree debris, and an additional Bobcat MT100. This additional equipment will greatly enhance our ability to mobilize after disasters and equip our volunteers.

If you wish to help use be able to make these purchases, please see our Give page to make a contribution towards this equipment. FGLER is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized in Florida to provide disaster response training, assistance, and management to our LCMS churches, members, and their communities in Florida and Georgia.

Following the September hurricane, a response was initiated for the Valdosta, GA, area. Led by Mid-South District DDRC's Rev. Trae Fistler and Kurt Ludwig, volunteers worked out of Messiah Lutheran Church, volunteers worked for three weeks to clear trees from the church property, and member and community homes. Thank you!

A response center was set up at Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, to assist with cleanup work in the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area following Hurricane Helene, then Hurricane Milton. Volunteers first worked on cleaning out homes and churches from flood water damage in St. Pete, including Our Savior Lutheran Church, and Tampa, including Zion Lutheran/Redeemer Church. Tree work was also done at Faith Lutheran Church (Dunedin) and Zion Lutheran/Redeemer (Tampa).

After Hurricane Milton, operations moved down to Sarasota, FL, where volunteers spent two weeks removing trees and tree debris from churches and homes. Churches worked at included Good Shepherd (host) and Beautiful Savior in Sarasota, Trinity - Port Charlotte, and Christ the King - Largo.

The Office of National Mission of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) has awarded FGLER a $10,000 National Disaster Response Grant.

FGLER will utilize this grant as matching funds to purchase a 16' enclosed equipment trailer to be used for transporting one of our Bobcat Mini Track Loaders and equipment to disasters. In addition to the trailer, equipment such as chainsaws and Personal Protective Equipment for trained volunteers to use in assisting disaster victims recover, will be purchased.

Please see our Give page to make a contribution towards this trailer and equipment. FGLER is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized in Florida to provide disaster response training, assistance, and management to our LCMS churches, members, and their communities in Florida and Georgia.

On May 29, 2024, a series of tornados, some confirmed as EF4, roared through Northwest Arkansas, causing widespread damage to Rogers, Bentonville, and Springdale. Over 70 homes and buildings were destroyed, and thousands of trees were uprooted, broken, or damaged. 

LCMS Disaster Response and Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinator Janet Simko requested the assistance of trained LERT volunteers and equipment to assist in cleanup work on behalf of the 5 affected local LCMS churches. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church hosted LERT volunteers, providing sleeping space, showers, and nourishing homecooked meals. 

FGLER's "new" Bobcat MT100 mini-track loader was brought the 1,000 miles from Florida. Over 30 hours were put on the loader over two weeks, saving countless hours of back-breaking and tiring manual labor hauling several hundred tons of limbs and logs.

FGLER Directors Joel Mathews and Jim Rice provided skilled chainsaw and loader operation. While the trip up and back was long, and the work hot and exhausting, both shared how rewarding and fulfilling the experience was, being able to help those who could not help themselves and sharing the love of Christ.

On March 25, 2024, Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc. was awarded Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

To extend its mission outreach, education and social ministry, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod works with independent Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) that agree to ensure their programs are in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS.

Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations that are independent of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, but they operate ministry programs that foster the mission and ministry of the church. 

RSO organizations reach out in mercy and love to meet the needs of those who are suffering, poor, sick or lonely. They address human, social, economic, educational and spiritual needs.

Hurricane Idalia struck North Florida and Southern Georgia August 30. While it was determined that a large, organized response would not be done, that did not mean there was no response. Between August 30 and October 14 FGLER volunteers helped by:

• Cleanup Days: 8

• Assessment Days: 3

• Total Jobs on List: 8

• Jobs completed: 7 (1 job was already done by others)

• Tarp Job: 1

• Tree Jobs: 7 (Completed: 6)

• Total Number Volunteers: 13

• LERT-trained Volunteers: 6

• Total Volunteer Hours: 224.75

• Tree Job Hours: 208.75

• Assessment Hours: 8

• Tarping Hours: 2

• Skid Steer Hours: 28.1

• Number of Trees: 27

• LCMS Member Jobs: 6

• Church Properties: 2 (Good Shepherd/Chiefland and Messiah/Valdosta)

• Personal Properties: 5

Thanks to LCMS Disaster Response, and donor churches and individuals, FGLER was able to repair our Bobcat MT85 AND purchase a brand new Bobcat MT100. These 2 machines greatly increase our capacity to assist with storm debris cleanup.

Contact us if you would like to be one of our Bobcat Operator!

info@fgler.org

 While it Little Rock, our Bobcat MT85 broke down, with a major repair needed. *UPDATE* THANK YOU!!!!  We have received multiple donations and grants from LCMS Disaster Response, the FLGA and SELC Districts.  

Repairs are complete on the MT85. 

We picked up our new Bobcat MT100 skid steer!

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!!!!

May 2023. At the request of LCMS Disaster Response and the LCMS Mid-South District, FGLER team members responded with the Bobcat MT85 for tree and debris cleanup.