• Eric Short

The Salvation Army Deploys FORTS Unit in East Tennessee for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Johnson City, TN – For the first time in Kentucky and Tennessee, The Salvation Army has deployed its newly acquired FORTS (Fold-Out Rigid Temporary Shelter) unit in response to Hurricane Helene. The state-of-the-art unit, acquired earlier this year, is now serving as an Incident Command Post in East Tennessee, where The Salvation Army is coordinating relief efforts across Johnson, Unicoi, Carter, Greene, and Cocke counties.

On Friday, The Salvation Army's Incident Management Team set up the FORTS unit in the parking lot of the Johnson City Salvation Army Thrift Store. The team had previously been using the Johnson City Salvation Army Corps building for the first week of operations, but relocating to the FORTS unit allows the Corps to better maintain its regular community services.

"This unit is a game-changer for us," said Major Brooks Gilliam, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Response. "The FORTS unit provides the space and functionality we need to effectively coordinate our response across multiple counties, while also freeing up local Salvation Army facilities to continue their vital work in the community."

The FORTS unit, which unfolds to provide 273 square feet of operational space yet folds into a compact 20 square foot footprint for easy transport, is designed for rapid deployment and adaptability. It offers an efficient and spacious workplace to manage disaster relief efforts, serving as a critical hub for The Salvation Army's response teams.

Since the storm ended, The Salvation Army has been on the ground, operating six mobile kitchen units that have been serving approximately 4,000 meals per day, along with drinks, snacks, and offering emotional and spiritual care to both survivors and first responders. In the first seven days of the operation, The Salvation Army has provided:

• 11,123 meals served
• 935 drinks distributed
• 367 snacks provided
• 441 emotional and spiritual care (ESC) contacts made

The Salvation Army's commitment to Hurricane Helene's recovery efforts will continue as long as there is a need. However, the public's support is crucial in keeping these operations running. Financial contributions are the most effective way to help sustain the response and recovery efforts.

Donations can be made online at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

As the situation continues to evolve, The Salvation Army remains steadfast in providing relief and recovery assistance to the affected communities of East Tennessee.