Salvation Army Disaster Radio is a bi-weekly podcast covering all things related to Salvation Army disaster services and emergency management. The podcast includes audio and video shows. Hosted by a rotating cast of disaster services professionals, topics range from specific issues in emergency management to items of general interest to the casual listener.

The Salvation Army's Disaster Service Activities

In a disaster, The Salvation Army has the ability to provide both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help. Basic services may include:

Food Service - The most visible of The Salvation Army's disaster services is the delivery of meals and drinks to disaster victims and emergency workers. Food may be prepared and served at congregate feeding sites (such as a Salvation Army corps building, camp or shelter) or from one of the Army's mobile feeding units/canteens, which are essentially kitchens on wheels.
Hydration Service - Hydration service provides beverages which replenish electrolytes (minerals such as potassium), enhance energy and meet general hydration requirements for those served.
Emergency Shelter - When necessary, The Salvation Army provides shelter in a facility identified by the local emergency management personnel. These facilities include municipal shelters, schools, Salvation Army buildings and other predetermined facilities.
Cleanup and Restoration - The Salvation Army supports people as they restore and rebuild after a disaster. Cleanup and restoration services include distribution of cleanup supplies, coordination of volunteer rebuilding teams and set up of warehouses to distribute reconstruction supplies.
Donations Management - The Salvation Army is one of the nation's leaders in collecting, sorting, and distributing donated goods. During a disaster, The Salvation Army may open disaster warehouses to receive and sort donations, establish distribution centers to dispense goods directly to victims and channel donations to support other disaster programs such as mass feeding and cleanup.
Spiritual and Emotional Care - The Salvation Army provides spiritual comfort and emotional support to disaster victims and emergency workers coping with the stress of a disaster. Salvation Army counselors, who are ordained clergy (officers) or lay personnel, will offer a "ministry of presence," as well as examples of spiritual and emotional care activities include comforting the injured and bereaved, conducting or participating in funeral and memorial services and providing chaplaincy services to disaster workers and emergency management personnel.
Disaster Social Services - The Salvation Army provides direct financial assistance to disaster victims through a system of trained caseworkers. The assistance available may include essential living supplies, such as food, clothing, medicine, bedding, or baby products, emergency housing needs and disaster-related medical or funeral expenses.
Emergency Communications (SATERN) - Through The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (www.SATERN.org) and other amateur radio groups, The Salvation Army helps provide emergency communications when more traditional networks, such as telephones, are not inoperable.

Useful Resources and Links

Click on links to learn more information about each site.

» ready.gov US government's website for disaster readiness
» FEMA.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency
» NSC.org National Safety Council
» dhs.gov Department of Homeland Security
» tsa.gov Transportation Security Administration
» whitehouse.gov The White House
» Disasternewsnetwork.org Reports on emergencies and disasters
» disastereducation.org National Disaster Education Coalition
» NVOAD.org National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster
» NOAA.gov National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency
» weather.com Weather reports and items of interest
» SATERN.org Salvation Army Emergency Radio Network
» saeds.org Cincinnati Ohio Salvation Army

Training Courses For Disaster Services Volunteers

Trained volunteers are effective volunteers. They are trained to understand the intricacies of helping those whose lives have been altered by adversity.

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Training Program provides educational tools for volunteers and personnel of The Salvation Army, as well as other non-profit organizations involved in disaster relief, to meet the needs of individuals at a disaster. The intent of our training program is to ensure that all disaster responders have quality training, which will assist in developing their skills and knowledge, so they are prepared to respond to disasters in a prompt, efficient and effective manner.

 

National Disaster Training Program (NDTP)

The Salvation Army's National Disaster Training Program is designed to be comprehensive, encompassing different disaster related topics. These courses are available to anyone interested, keeping in mind that there are prerequisites for certain courses. Each training course includes a participant’s manual and visual aides such as interactive DVD's, videos or CD ROMS. The classroom is filed with interaction and discussion to make learning real and relevant to your world.

» View Training Calendar