Join the THQ Disaster Team
DID YOU KNOW The Salvation Army responds to numerous disasters each year? Some are very small in size and only require a few people. But some, like Hurricane Helene in 2024, required hundreds of people. That’s where YOU come in!
During a disaster response operation, The Salvation Army offers various core services based on the community’s needs. One of those services is emotional and spiritual care for people hurting and traumatized after an event. Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) specialists are deployed to provide a ministry of presence, a listening ear, and offer tangible help to people in need. ESC specialists are critical in all response operations, yet we do not always have enough personnel available to deploy as many as we need.
What is an Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) Specialist?
ESC Specialists are tasked with offering a listening ear, words of hope and encouragement, and practical assistance to disaster survivors, first responders, and Salvation Army disaster workers. They may be assigned to a canteen, a distribution site, a resource center, or other designated location.
What skills are needed to be an effective ESC Specialist?
ESC Specialists must be good listeners and exhibit empathy and compassion to individuals who are hurting. They must be passionate about caring for people who have just gone through one of the worst or maybe even the worst day(s) of their lives. They must be willing to meet people where they are and be a calming presence in the middle of chaos.
What if I am unable to attend a Lunch and Learn, can I still participate?
Yes! Download, complete, and return the ESC application. You can also reach out to Bobbi Geery in EDS with any questions. Download the form here.
For more information, check out the presentation.
Do I need supervisor approval to participate?
Yes! You will need to complete the ESC THQ Cadre Application which requires the signatures of your supervisor, department head, and designated cabinet member signature to participate in all training classes and to be considered for deployment. This must be completed by March 13 and returned to Bobbi Geery in EDS. In addition, prior to any deployment, you will need supervisor approval for the dates you are requested.
Yes! All Salvation Army disaster workers must be credentialed. If you are not credentialed, then you will need to do the following:
- Create a disaster worker profile in our online database, including a passport style photo.
- Take the Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services Course offered (March 24, 2026)
- Take Safe From Harm (if you’ve not already done so)
- Submit to a background check (most likely done when you were hired) so HR can provide the approved date back to EDS.
Reach out to Bobbi Geery in EDS. She can confirm your status.
At a minimum all ESC specialists must be credentialed disaster workers which requires taking the Introduction to EDS and Safe From Harm classes. In addition, all ESC specialists must also take our entry level training class “Introduction to Emotional and Spiritual Care: The ESC Specialist” course.
Additional optional training could include:
- The Incident Command System (ICS)
- Mental Health First Aid
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Classes
- Crisis Training Center Classes
During a disaster, THQ EDS would advise team members of the possibility of deployment. Team members would consult with their direct supervisors for permission to deploy. If approved for deployment, THQ EDS will schedule your deployment and arrange all travel. Details regarding your deployment will be emailed in a deployment brief. Deployments would be anywhere between 7-14 days (as supervisors and work schedules allow).
Yes. Employees would continue to draw their regular pay during their deployment.
Yes. Deployed personnel are entitled to one compensatory PTO day (as per Minute 14) for every seven days worked.
No. If you’ve got a current Safe From Harm certification at any level, then you will only need to provide a copy of your certificate of completion to EDS.
No. if you’ve completed the Introductory class you will not be required to take it again, unless you just want to.
You may be required to participate in short virtual or in-person meetings throughout the year but these would not be frequent or long. These meetings will help orient you to the role of an emotional and spiritual care specialist and give you key information moving into hurricane season.
Absolutely! Anyone interested in participating and goes through the credentialing and training process may become a volunteer disaster worker.
