Baptist volunteers ready to respond to Sandy as 'second wave of response'

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Around 60 volunteers from Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster relief are standing by across the state, with supplies packed and ready to leave for Hurricane Sandy-stricken areas.

"This particular chain saw unit up here is considered a rapid response unit," said Steve Cabler, a team leader for a chain saw team based out of Washington and Osage County. "There's about three or four in the state. Which means basically that we can be on site and ready respond some place in about 24 hours."

Since 2002, he has responded to disasters of every kind across the nation and here in Green County.

His team is one of four ready to head to areas affected by Sandy, as soon as the damage assessments are complete.

Three of the teams are chain saw teams; the other a "mud team." It's members are trained and equipped to help with flood cleanup.

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Steve says Baptist volunteers from states surrounding the disaster area are already helping.

"Oklahoma is going to be the second wave of response," Cabler said. "So what has to happen is the feeding comes first, and then there's an assessment phase -- trying to figure out where they need the resources and the types of resources they need."

Steve's unit could head out as early as Monday -- leaving their jobs and families behind for the next nine days to help those in need.

"It's such a relief to those individuals," Cabler said. "Not only to have that happen. But to have it happen for free. That the people who are coming in to do it, expect nothing in return, it's touching to them."

Those volunteers spent weeks in Creek County while helping fire victims. That effort depleted their funds. But they won't let that stop from responding to this disaster.