• Christopher McGown

Kentucky & Tennessee Sends Personnel To Flooding In Eastern Pennsylvania

Louisville, KY (September 10, 2011) – Even as the Nation prepares to commemorate the events of the 9/11 disaster, The Salvation Army is actively battling disasters in several locations around the Country—including the extensive flooding throughout the Northeast.

In times of need, The Salvation Army is there, but sometimes the relief comes from a distance.   With the number and duration of disaster activity in the northeastern United States, Salvation Army personnel are stretched thin.   Lending a “hand up” isn’t just for strangers, it’s for the whosoever.   In this case, Salvation Army staff from Kentucky and Tennessee is being called upon to lend a hand in Pennsylvania…in turn lending a hand to those affected by this disaster.

The rising Susquehanna River is forcing evacuations, and The Salvation Army is preparing to move in with disaster relief teams.   The response to the flooding in and around Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania will be will be lead by Salvation Army Officers from Kentucky and Tennessee.

Like most major Emergency Disaster Services agencies (including the military and government), The Salvation Army bases its response on the Incident Command Structure (ICS).   The ICS has a team of leaders, who monitor, administer, and shepherd the various and varied components of any given disaster response.  Specifically, this IC team includes:

• Incident Commander:  Ed Binnix, Major; currently appointed to Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Operations Chief:  Jason Burns, Lieutenant; currently appointed to Memphis, Tennessee
• Logistics Chief:  Patrick Richmond, Captain; currently appointed to Nashville, Tennessee
• Planning Chief:  Sally Love, Captain; currently appointed to Richmond, Kentucky
• Finance & Administration:  Dan Nelson, Lieutenant: currently appointed to Danville, Kentucky

A video presentation of the ICS, including its positions and responsibilities, can be found at:  http://youtu.be/2G87bq9prx8

Disaster work is characteristically unpredictable, and this is no exception.   As Salvation Army personnel monitor the flooding and coordinate with government officials, final plans for the new IC team are being finalized.   The team—who were notified of their selection this afternoon—is expected to be on site Monday evening.  Standard Emergency Disaster Services deployment is a two week rotation, and the Kentucky/Tennessee team has planned, and packed, accordingly.  

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of those impacted, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org.  You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

You may also help by texting “Storm” to 80888 to make a $10.00 contribution to the relief effort.   The donation will appear on your next phone bill.