ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Salvation Army, one of the nation’s largest disaster response organizations, has launched a new suite of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) training courses designed to empower faith and community-based organizations in building local resilience, preparedness, and readiness to serve their community in the wake of a disaster.
These free, virtual, self-paced modules are tailored for adult learners and available in both English and Spanish. The courses support The Salvation Army’s goal to recruit and train 20,000 volunteers who reflect the communities we serve. The trainings also aim to strengthen community capacity and development by equipping local leaders with foundational knowledge of emergency management and pathways to connect with professional emergency management practitioners.
“These courses reflect our commitment to accessible, practical training that empowers local partners and community members,” said Meghan Foley, National Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army. “Faith and community leaders are often the first who are ready to respond when disaster strikes.”
Key Features of the new training suite include:
- Free and accessible to the public
- Self-paced modules ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours
- Designed for adult learners
- Available in English and Spanish
- Certificate of Completion provided for each course
- Ideal for houses of worship, community nonprofits, and individual volunteers
The purpose of the trainings is to empower local faith and community leaders to partner with established disaster relief organizations and serve their communities with confidence. The sessions provide an introductory understanding of emergency management, explain how to connect with appropriate emergency management practitioners, and foster resilience and service through practical tools.
The Salvation Army encourages all faith groups, churches, community action and volunteer groups, local nonprofit organizations, and individual community members with a passion for serving more in times of disasters, to take these courses and learn invaluable strategies for serving neighbors in need. Participation strengthens our collective impact and helps communities face challenges with unity and confidence.
To learn more or to enroll, visit: https://learn.salvationarmyusa.org/EDS/faith-and-community-based-organizations.
