• Michael R. Schwartz

Empire State Division EDS Serves at Multi-Agency Resource Center in Response to Albany Block Fire

Albany, New York – On Wednesday May 22, 2019, The Salvation Army Albany Area Services EDS Team participated in a Multi-Agency Resources Center (MARC) at the request of the City of Albany and Capitol Region Organizations Assisting in Disasters (CROAD) in response to a large block fire that destroyed seven homes on Bradford Street in the City Sunday morning,

The incident began at 5:00am Sunday at 140 Bradford Street and quickly spread through the shared walls impacting all residences from 128 to 142 Bradford Street. The impacted residences are home to over fifty former resettled refugees from Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq as well as immigrants from Bangladesh.

Staff and volunteers from EDS, Social Services and the Albany Area ARC provided information and assistance to all survivors in coordination with numerous area government agencies, social services agencies and relief organizations such as the City of Albany Housing Authority, Albany County Department of Social Services, Red Cross, ARRL and Catholic Charities.

“Today’s Multi-Agency Resource Center operations show the strength and cooperation that is at the heart of the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) program model growing across New York State.  Each COAD that rises up and forms provides a strong framework for all member agencies and organizations to be able to meet unmet needs in an impacted community while ensuring that there are no duplications in services, allowing resources to be used in the most timely and efficient way.” said Michael R. Schwartz Empire State Division Emergency Disaster Services Director.

As impacted families are relocated into new homes in the coming days and weeks, The Salvation Army will continue to provide recovery and social services until all needs are met.

For further information, impacted families may contact the Albany Area Services at 518-463-6678.