The gateway course to The Salvation Army’s disaster training program, Introduction to The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, is required for all disaster workers. The course offers an overview of The Salvation Army's mission, the services it provides during a disaster, and prepares participants for their first disaster assignment, describing everything from packing to travel to self-care. This course is available in both a classroom and an online self-study version and is a prerequisite for most other Salvation Army disaster training courses..

This course introduces participants to the basics of safe food handling. The course explains how food can become unsafe through time-temperature abuse, cross-contamination, and improper cleaning and sanitizing, and emphasizes the importance good personal hygiene plays in limiting the spread of dangerous pathogens..

During a disaster, the first gesture of comfort The Salvation Army offers is often a cold drink and a hot meal from one of its mobile feeding units. The Disaster Food Service & Canteen Operations course is designed as the starting point for any disaster worker who wishes to be a part of disaster food service operations. Participants who complete the course will learn about the different types of Salvation Army food service equipment, the essentials of building a food service team, canteen operations and maintenance, and the basics of menu planning..