Equip the Frontlines – Help and Hope in Times of Disaster
PITTSBURGH - Every year, thousands of people are confronted with disasters. There are fires, floods, snowstorms, power outages and other natural disasters that impact our community to the core. When disaster strikes, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) answers.
“We see it all the time on the local news, The Salvation Army EDS, right there on the frontlines at the scene of a disaster, a house fire, or any other natural disaster or flooding.” Steve Myers, Vice President, Operations Planning & Engineering with FedEx said.
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is a top-notch program for disaster preparedness and response that begins with the local community and extends throughout The Salvation Army’s 28-county Western Pennsylvania service area.
“The Salvation Army is a huge partner, we greatly appreciate all that they can do,” Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones said. “Their abilities and their scope of work is massive.”
The Salvation Army EDS is part of the community, responding to hundreds of emergency calls and serving thousands of first responders and survivors each year. Thanks to the dedication of The Salvation Army EDS team, help and hope is never far away.
“A lot of times we are meeting people on the worst day of their lives, and we can always count on The Salvation Army to be there with us in partnership, helping people on the worst day,” shared Christine Heyser, Mass Care Coordinator, with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
In times of disaster, The Salvation Army Equips the Frontlines, serving first responders and survivors with safe shelter, warm meals, clothing and clean-up kits, along with spiritual support. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the EDS team of staff and volunteers is on-call providing aid in times of crisis.
“The Salvation Army has a long track record of helping people, helping the victims of different disasters, [and] also helping our first responders,” shared Andrew Toomer, Division Chief, Training/Emergency Management for Allegheny County Emergency Services. “The Salvation Army is integrated in all of our communities.”
The Salvation Army began its emergency disaster work in Pittsburgh during the historically devastating 1936 flood and has continued those services ever since. Long after the first responders have left the scene, The Salvation Army is still there, helping our community with emotional support and meeting critical needs.
“If you look at any of the disasters that have occurred recently, you see The Salvation Army is there,” Donna Gibson, Director of Friends of Flight 93 said. “They're holding out their hand helping people not only with donations or food, but also emotional support and helping families to get through a very difficult time.”
Approximately 90 percent of EDS operating funds come from individuals and businesses. After a long and fruitful partnership, The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division’s Emergency Disaster Services is no longer funded by the United Way of Southwestern PA. This disaffiliation leaves a significant shortfall in The Salvation Army’s budget. This work would not be possible without the generosity of the community.
“From the government level, we can’t do it all,” shared Christine Heyser, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. “We definitely depend on [our] local partners.”
In addition to disaster response, at least once a week, an EDS mobile canteen vehicle leaves the local Salvation Army warehouse stocked with hot meals, drinks, hygiene and personal care or comfort kits, and compassionate volunteers, bound for areas others tend to avoid or overlook – known homeless encampments within the City of Pittsburgh. The Salvation Army provides resources, and compassionate intervention, during hours when area drop-in shelters are not operating. The homeless feeding outreach program serves an average of 100 meals per week, meeting the unhoused when they are in a dire time of need.
“I often talk to folks, and they're very surprised to learn all of the different things that The Salvation Army does to help people,” shared Steve Myers, FedEx. “It’s a key part of the mission and vision of FedEx is to support the communities in which we live and work.”
Your generosity will ensure this work will never stop. Visit salvationarmywpa.org/shield to make a donation today to support your community and neighbors.