• Philip Burn

Salvation Army Texas EDS Team Deploying to Florida Ahead of Anticipated Hurricane Dorian Response

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams across the south are actively preparing for the possibility of a significant response to Hurricane Dorian. The powerful storm is expected to make landfall over Labor Day weekend, with the eastern coastline of Florida directly in the projected track of the storm.

An 11-person Incident Management Team along with five mobile kitchens and five Rapid Response Units from Texas will be deploying on Monday, headed to Florida, led by Alvin Migues, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Director for the Texas Division. Team members are specially trained in key areas of emergency disaster response and will potentially oversee and coordinate relief efforts in a designated area with a typical deployment lasting 14 days.

“One of the strengths of The Salvation Army emergency disaster response efforts is our ability to mobilize quickly and provide effective and timely assistance to affected areas,” said Migues. “Our primary responsibility is the delivery of meals, snacks and hydration to first responders and to the communities in the path of the storm. We also help facilitate cleanup efforts, provide emotional and spiritual support and remain to support long-term recovery programs that can span several months following a large-scale event.”

The Florida Division of The Salvation Army currently has more than 30 mobile kitchen units and crews prepared and on standby. Salvation Army EDS teams and response vehicles in neighboring states are poised to provide additional response once the impact of Hurricane Dorian becomes clear.

The Salvation Army provides a comprehensive disaster training curriculum that includes both online courses and training events led by full-time, professional EDS staff. Trained volunteers, employees and Salvation Army officers provide the manpower to support rapidly scalable response efforts.

“The Salvation Army will be there to feed, support and pray with those who find themselves in a time of crisis after the storm, all in the name of Jesus,” said Migues.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services and the developing situation regarding Hurricane Dorian response, visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org