Emergency Volunteer Action Community

EVAC is a nonprofit ministry through the Ridge Christian Church to help our community first responders with the equipment they need. 

Purpose: To help support the needs of the individual volunteer first responder by providing the support of equipment to them so they can be ready to answer the call at all times.

History: As a pastor and volunteer I know first hand what it is like to be one of the first responders on a scene of a tragic event yet not have the gear needed to start helping in that unfortunate situation. The truth is these incidents happen far to often for our emergency response volunteers.

In 2024 this area of western North Carolina and upper east Tennessee experienced a devasting hurricane Helene leaving many volunteers in a situation that they themselves had very limited resources. Many were cut off from the areas they serve only to help those immediately near them often with very little or no necessary equipment. 

Why? Because the equipment is at their station and not in their hands. And during the storm many stations could not respond because the were blocked in or received damage themselves. 

For far too long many first responders have not only volunteered their time but their money to purchase their own equipment leaving many who might volunteer unable to do so. This is one major reason why we see a major shortage of volunteers today. Times have changed over the years and between training requirements, organization requirements and lack of funds have left many communities unprepareddue to the lack of volunteers.

What can we do? E.V.A.C. is a non-profit ministry based on the Good Samaritan principle found in the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37. We provide the volunteer with the equipment they need and it is theirs to keep so they can be ready when the need arises. 

How does it work? As a ministry we receive private donations and grants to fund this ministry and 100 percent of the donations that are received go out to the volunteers in need. How, because this organization is made up of volunteers helping volunteers. 

Any first responder or first responder team can submit a simple request form. The only requirements are:

1.) Must be an active first responder of a local volunteer emergency agency. i.e. fire, medical, law enforcement etc. 2.) Be in good standing with their agency. 

Then our board of volunteers reviews their application and if approved purchases the requested equipment for the first responder.