Buffalo Area EDS Team Celebrates 75 Years of Service

Buffalo, NY – The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Team based in Buffalo, NY celebrates their 75th year of service to the community and first responders in Buffalo in 2018.  What started in 1943 with officers and soldiers serving coffee and water to firefighters at fire scenes has grown into a strong relationship with the City of Buffalo and Erie County Emergency Service today.  Our EDS Team is automatically dispatched to any multi alarm fires within Buffalo and by request to any first response agency within Erie County.  Whether it is providing a hot cup of coffee to a first responder in -30 degree weather or providing a blanket and emotional and spiritual care to the survivor of a disaster, our Team is always there, never seeking the limelight or media attention, serving selflessly to help others. 

The Buffalo EDS Team is the most active team in New York State, averaging at least one response a week.  Their reach goes beyond Western New York.  In 2017, volunteers and equipment served in response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria as well as at 20 of 48 disasters across New York.  Whether it was the Buffalo Disaster Response Vehicle serving nearly 10,000 meals to survivors of Hurricane Irma in Key West, Florida or staff and volunteers serving two week deployments in Houston, Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Buffalo EDS was on the front line. 

“We are grateful to the Buffalo EDS Team for their continued service to the people of the City of Buffalo.  Their selfless dedication to their community and 75 years of service to those in need are inspirational to all of the members of our EDS Team across the Empire State Division.” said Michael R. Schwartz, Divisional Disaster Director for the Empire State Division of The Salvation Army.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services, please contact Michael Schwartz at (315) 434-1367 or michael.schwartz@use.salvationarmy.org