Tropical Depression 9 Enters Gulf - Tampa Bay Salvation Army Prepared to Respond

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: 

St. Petersburg: Randi-lyn Farrell 727-639-4258

Tampa: Wonetha Hall 248-802-9843

Clearwater: Lindsay Crossland 727-403-7766

www.salvationarmytampabay.org

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Tropical Depression 9 Enters the Gulf - Tampa Bay Salvation Army is Prepared to Respond

Tampa Bay, FL (August 29, 2016) – Salvation Army units throughout Tampa Bay are prepared and on stand-by to help residents as Tropical Depression 9 enters the Gulf. With a presence in every county throughout Tampa Bay, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to support emergency management personnel and communities as needed.

Trained, dedicated staff and volunteers are actively monitoring the weather across the bay area and are in regular communication with officials throughout the region. This past week additional training was held in St. Petersburg for staff and volunteers from across the Bay.

“The Salvation Army is ready and willing to be of service. We will continue to be in communication with our emergency management personnel across the bay area so we can be of the best service to our communities when needed,” said Lt. Colonel Gary Haupt, Area Commander for The Salvation Army, St. Petersburg. Lt. Colonel Haupt also noted that in Hillsborough and Pinellas County the Army’s homeless shelters will extend daytime hours during periods of heavy rains and winds.

Because The Salvation Army has a long history of response in disaster situations – large and small – a net of trained personnel and response vehicles (mobile feeding units) designed for rapid and free-standing response are ready to be deployed.

Earlier this summer The Salvation Army responded to flooded communities in Upper Pinellas County following Tropical Storm Colin providing meals.  In the wake of the tragic shootings at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, a Salvation Army team from Tampa Bay was called to support the Army’s response efforts to first responders.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s preparations to Tropical Depression 9 please visit http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/ and to volunteer in your community visit www.SalvationArmyTampaBay.org.

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