THE SALVATION ARMY STANDS READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON
Training, New Equipment & Services Key to Preparedness
Efforts
Atlanta, GA - With June 1
being the official start of hurricane season, The Salvation Army is preparing
for an active season. Dr. Bill Grey's April 2009 hurricane forecast calls for
12 tropical storms, 6 of which will become hurricanes with 2 becoming major
hurricanes. However, even if the season is relatively quiet, just one strong
storm could pose a serious threat and cause catastrophic damage if it makes
landfall in a populated area.
The Salvation Army has taken several steps this year to strengthen and
enhance its emergency readiness. This includes the hosting of training sessions
and disaster response conferences, acquisition of new equipment, the integration
of a GPS tracking system on every working mobile feeding unit (canteen) in the
Southern Territory, and pre-positioning of non-perishable food and supplies.
Each year, The Salvation Army hosts and participates in dozens of disaster
trainings and conferences throughout the United States for both Salvation Army
personnel and representatives from other agencies.
"Salvation Army Emergency Disaster relief has to be a team effort," said Jeff
Jellets, Southern Territorial EDS Coordinator. "We are ready, trained and
equipped to do the most good for any community hit by devastation. This is not
just for hurricanes, as our units have already been extremely active this year
with ice storms, brush fires, tornadoes and man made disasters across the South
Eastern United States."
As another preparation, almost every canteen has now been fitted with an
upgraded GPS tracking device allowing our command units to see where the
equipment is and most importantly, the reliable movement of reinforcements to
existing relief coverage, as well as the breakout of new disaster needs. In
addition, stockpiles of food, water, and cleaning supplies ‘kits' have been
strategically placed throughout the southern and eastern United States to ensure
that supplies are ready immediately a disaster hits. This would apply to any
given community.
Other improvements include refurbishing a 48 foot mobile field kitchen that
was only recently released from the Mississippi Gulf coast, where it had been
serving since Hurricane Katrina. The field kitchen is capable of producing up
to 20,000 meals a day and will be stationed at a new Salvation Army disaster
warehouse in Jackson, MS. The vehicle is one of 5 field kitchens stationed in
states stretching from Texas to Florida.
The Salvation Army first officially responded to the deadly Galveston, TX,
hurricane in 1900. "We haven't looked back since, with many disasters, large and
small where a few or several thousand were affected" said Jellets. The Salvation
Army is one of the most experienced and active providers of disaster relief in
the country. This year alone, the Army has already responded to many incidents.
The Salvation Army has provided thousands of meals and drinks, medical and
cleaning supplies, as well as spiritual and emotional care and support to
disaster survivors across the country.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to support The Salvation Army's
emergency relief efforts may do so by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, by visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org or by
contacting their local Salvation Army Corps.
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About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church
established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without
discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans
receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array
of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for
disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill,
clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged
children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those
services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.