Emergency Disaster Services

One september 8, 1900, a hurricane devastated Galveston, Texas causing loss of life in excess of 5,000 persons. The city, sustaining extensive property damage, was virtually destroyed! While survivors were still reeling from this onslaught of nature, Frederick Booth-Tucker, who was a National Commander, ordered Salvation Army officers from across America to proceed to the disaster site to provide spiritual counsel and practical assistance. The Salvation Army's first national disaster appeal for funds was generously supported by caring Americans.

From these beginnings, the Salvation Army has developed local, regional, and national disaster services programs. Whether it be a local incident or a major disaster, Salvation Army staff and volunteers are often the first on the scene and the last to depart...honoring a century old commitment to serve those in need.

For more than a century, the Salvation Army has endeavored to ease human suffering wherever it is found. The Salvation Army has local, regional, and national disaster services programs. The Army is an international organization with a long-standing reputation for effective service. The Salvation Army draws on a wide range of resources which rapidly shift into action whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Salvation Army disaster teams offer food, clothing, shelter, counseling, and other basic necessities for survival. Even after a disaster becomesold news, the Salvation Army remains on the scene, cleaning, rebuilding, and helping to restore lives to normal. The Salvation Army offers help, hope, and comfort to those in crisis.

While each disaster or civil disorder is devastating and has its own violent impact on the lives of individuals and communities, there are certain basic needs to which the Salvation Army responds. These include:

Spiritual Ministry: Counseling victims, consoling the injured and distressed, comforting the bereaved, conducting funeral and memorial services to staff and volunteers.

Counseling: Individual and family trauma counseling and emotional support.

Identification/Registration: Locating victims and providing information and communication to inquiring family and friends.

Mobile Feeding: Where needed, mobile feeing units serve hot meals to victims and relief personnel on site.

Congregate Feeding: Salvation Army buildings and other sites are used for preparation and service of meals to victims and relief personnel.

Financial Assistance: Financial grants for immediate needs are made to victims who demonstrate need. No repayment of grants is sought or required.

Shelter: Shelters may be established and maintained in Salvation Army facilities or other sites. Programs include childcare to allow adult family members to salvage personal effects, apply for long-term assistance, schedule reconstruction and undertake other necessary tasks.

Donated Materials: The generostiy of Americans enables the Salvation Army to solicit and distribute water, non-perishable foods, furniture, housekeeping supplies, building materials, and other basic necessities.

Basic Commodities: Items such as food, water, health and sanitary needs, baby and child care products, medicines and bedding.

Reconstruction: In major disasters, the Salvation Army may accept responsibility to coordinate or assist with reconstruction efforts.

Services to Volunteers: The Salvation Army recruits, trains, and utilizes volunteers. Registered volunteers may be provided with housing, meals, and support services including transportaiton if necessary and available.

Advocacy: Certified social workers, human services aids, and officers are assigned to provide a professional level of assistance including advocacy and referral to private and public asistance programs.

Disaster Volunteers: The job is hard but very rewarding. For but by the grace of God we our selves could be the one needing a helping hand. For more information on how you can be trained for local disaster teams, call the Salvation Army in your area. There is always room for additional volunteers.

The Salvation Army's disaster services program has been funded by private and public donations for almost a century. The nature of major disasters and the unprecedented cost of relief and recovery programs cannot be funded through annual operating budgets. Federated funds, in communities where such funding is available, usually fund only minimal budgets. The Salvation Army encourages financial support by individuals, private and public foundations, community organizations, churches, corporations and unions. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder for which an appeal is made, contributions can be made to any Salvation Army unit with assurance that funding will be expended for disaster programmning.

The Salvation Army disaster response teams, coordinated and directed by commissioned officers and trained personnel, supported by volunteers, are "on call" to serve at all disasters and civil disorders which place a community or its populace at risk or which may disrupt or destroy family security and well-being.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SERVICES AND INFORMATION ON DONATIONS PLEASE CALL 1-800-SAL-ARMY.