• Dulcinea Cuellar

The Salvation Army in Florida Prepares for Tropical Storm Emily

Tampa, FL (August 3, 2011) - The Salvation Army of Florida is preparing should Tropical Storm Emily make landfall on Florida.

With 42 mobile canteens (kitchen on wheels), two field kitchens, a field communications unit, shower trailers, a command center and more than 700 trained disaster volunteers, The Salvation Army continues to prepare if Emily or another storm makes landfall in Florida this hurricane season. 

Coincidentally, The Salvation Army of Florida is holding a previously scheduled emergency disaster services training and public information officer workshop today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) in Tampa. The training and workshop is intended for Salvation Army development and public relations professionals who may be deployed if disaster strikes.

"Personnel from across Florida are participating in this week's training which focuses on integrating with emergency management utilizing the National Incident Management System," said Kevin Smith, The Salvation Army of Florida's emergency services director.

The goal of this week's training is to empower Salvation Army employees while teaching them about national emergency management standards, Smith said.

"Bringing these folks together helps The Salvation Army to strategize on the best communication methods to let people know when and where we are serving," Smith said. "We will talk about using traditional media as well as finding ways to engage the ever-changing social media world."

Media is welcome to visit The Salvation Army's Tampa warehouse, 930 E. 139th Ave (off Nebraska between East Fletcher Avenue and Bearss Avenue.) today (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday) to interview, get photos or video. Wednesday's training is from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday's training begins at 8:30 a.m. and should conclude around 4:30 p.m.

 

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.