Salvation Army Teams Serving and Anticipating Residents Return in West, Texas

Dallas, TX (April 19, 2013) – Salvation Army Emergency Disaster response teams from Waco, Temple, and Dallas continued to serve first responders and residents of West, Texas, on Friday.

Following the fertilizer plant explosion on Wednesday evening several Salvation Army disaster teams, consisting of both staff and volunteers, have arrived to relieve others who have been faithfully serving for long hours at a time. A Disaster Canteen (mobile kitchen) from Abilene arrived today to support those in place at the Emergency Operations Center, Incident Command, and the relief staging area. So far 28 Salvation Army personnel have served for a total of 210 hours.

The overall response is gradually transitioning towards the return of the citizens of West after the majority of people were evacuated on Wednesday evening. Search and rescue operations were concluded today and authorities anticipate housing assessments will commence early on Saturday followed by the re-entry of the residents.

“The people of West are understandably anxious about returning to their homes,” commented Major Dan Ford, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army. “Many have been gone since Wednesday night and they are concerned about their homes and belongings. The Salvation Army will be prepared to help in any way possible as they return home.”

First responders were again appreciative of the refreshment supplied by The Salvation Army canteens as they continued searching the devastated area close to the blast site. As he left the canteen having received a snack and a cup of coffee, one firefighter commented, “Thank you for all you do. We know we can always rely on The Salvation Army.”

The Salvation Army has provided 2,057 meals, 1,621 drinks (coffee, soda, juice and water) and 797 snacks since Thursday morning.

People from throughout Texas, and beyond, are coming forward to assist as best they can. Indeed, the owner of Tin Roof BBQ & Steaks, a restaurant in Atascocita, Texas, near Houston, offered to donate a large quantity of food after they experienced an electrical fire on Wednesday evening that meant they were unable to open for business. Not only did they donate food but they also transported it all the way from Houston to Waco; a round trip of more than a 400 miles! Thank you to Tin Roof BBQ & Steaks and everyone who continues to support The Salvation Army relief effort in West.

The most effective way to support The Salvation Army response in West is by making a financial contribution:
• MAIL – please send checks to The Salvation Army, PO Box 36607, Dallas, TX 75235
• PHONE at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• ONLINE at www.salvationarmytexas.org

For more information about The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort, please go to www.Facebook.com/SalvationArmyTexas, www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or www.salvationarmytexas.org.
###

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 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 The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.