Emergency & Disaster Services
The story of Salvation Army Major Disaster Response started in 1900 after a devastating unnamed hurricane hit Galveston, Texas. The city, sustaining extensive property damage, was virtually destroyed. The hurricane killed more than 8,000 people and obliterated more than 3,600 homes, nearly half the city. While survivors were still reeling from this onslaught of nature, Salvation Army officers from across the country were sent to the disaster site to bring comfort, to do counseling, to provide practical aid, and to help in any way they could.
Disasters can occur at any time and in any place. They often bring great death and destruction in their wake. The unpredictability of a disaster makes it all the more devastating. Canada is fortunate that emergency preparedness experts at all levels of government have well-organised, definitive plans, in which The Salvation Army plays an important part. But, despite the armies of trained personnel ready to go into action, very often the best we can do is to mitigate the effects of a disaster, and deal with its aftermath.
Whenever disaster strikes, the presence of Salvation Army personnel is expected. Often assigned a specific role by Emergency Preparedness authorities, such as counselling, registration and identification, transportation, emergency housing, feeding or clothing, The Salvation Army is well equipped to handle any demands made of it in a disciplined and resourceful manner.
To find out more about our EDS program or to volunteer, please contact our local EDS Coordinator.
Disasters can occur at any time and in any place. They often bring great death and destruction in their wake. The unpredictability of a disaster makes it all the more devastating. Canada is fortunate that emergency preparedness experts at all levels of government have well-organised, definitive plans, in which The Salvation Army plays an important part. But, despite the armies of trained personnel ready to go into action, very often the best we can do is to mitigate the effects of a disaster, and deal with its aftermath.
Whenever disaster strikes, the presence of Salvation Army personnel is expected. Often assigned a specific role by Emergency Preparedness authorities, such as counselling, registration and identification, transportation, emergency housing, feeding or clothing, The Salvation Army is well equipped to handle any demands made of it in a disciplined and resourceful manner.
To find out more about our EDS program or to volunteer, please contact our local EDS Coordinator.
EDS Training photos Gord Handford
