You are in: Latest News » THE SALVATION ARMY RESPONDS TO DEADLY COMMUTER TR...
Released 23 June 2009
National Capital Area Command Disaster Response Team Responds
Immediately to Provide Support to First Responders and Victims
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 23, 2009 - The National Capital Area Command Disaster
Response Team was activated during the evening of June 22nd in response to a
deadly commuter train accident in the District of Columbia. One Metro train
slammed into the back of another on the Red Line at the height of the evening
rush hour, killing at least six and injuring 70 others in the deadliest
accident in Metrorail's 33-year history. Metro officials expected the death
toll to rise to at least nine. The National Capital Area Command has activated
the newly received FedEx Disaster Response Unit for the first time. The unit
with appropriate personnel has been on the scene since approximately 8pm Monday
evening.
The Salvation Army has been able to offer the first responders cold and hot
beverages along with a distraction from the grueling work of handling the
emotional pressures related to their work at the scene of the crash. The
Salvation Army's Disaster Response Unit is positioned immediately across the
street from the only access to the train and is directly in the path of those
responding to the incident as they walk to and from the crash scene.
Throughout the night The Salvation Army provided additional cold and hot
beverages, sandwiches, chips and snacks.
Early this morning a warm breakfast was prepared at the Harbor Light Center
on New York Avenue and was delivered to the crash site. The Salvation Army
continues to rotate personnel to and from the scene and plans to provide both
lunch and dinner to the emergency responders throughout the day.
"It is indeed an honor to be able to respond to this disaster and provide
support to the emergency response personnel ," notes Major Steve Morris, The
Salvation Army's National Capital Area Commander. "As we arrived the police
and fire department personnel assisted our disaster team members with moving
our disaster response unit as close to the scene as possible so that we could
provide a place of comfort to those emergency responders working the scene. "
As Major Morris remembers, "One NTSB investigator approached the canteen and
commented, ‘I have just come from another scene in another state and you
guys were there too . . . it's like everywhere I respond . . . you guys are
there! Thanks!'"
The Army will stay on sight until the scene is closed.