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Volunteers are the lifeblood of The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services. We depend on them to help provide compassion in the face of destruction and thank them for their service.
Activity Summary:
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is there when disaster strikes. From serving firefighters, victims of local house fires, to assisting first responders in national disasters like the Joplin tornado, EDS relief efforts are supporting communities in times of significant need.
Canteens, or mobile kitchens, are the most recognized of EDS vehicles. Canteens provide hydration and hot meals when and where they’re needed most.
As a Canteen Driver, you will serve on a full-service “kitchen on wheels” capable of preparing thousands of meals per day.
This position requires willingness to work on call. Volunteers commit to regularly scheduled shifts. Shifts can be once a week, once a month, or one weekend a month, but upholding your commitment is crucial to your team members and the first responders that we serve.
EDS Volunteer Qualifications:
- 21 years or older
- Valid Driver’s license
- High energy level and the ability to stand for hours at a time
- Confident and able to lead
- Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations
- Reliable, professional, and hard working
EDS Volunteer Requirements:
- Back Ground Check
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Volunteer Agreement Form
- Photo Release Form
- Statement of Volunteer for work with children form
Paperwork must be completed and approved before beginning this EDS position
EDS Volunteer Training:
- EDS Safe From Harm
- EDS Intro to The Salvation Army
- EDS Food Service ServSafe®
- NDTP Disaster Food Service & Canteen Operations
- NDTP Incident Command System
Activity Summary:
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is there when disaster strikes. From serving firefighters, victims of local house fires, to assisting first responders in national disasters like the Joplin tornado, EDS relief efforts are supporting communities in times of significant need.
Canteens, or mobile kitchens, are the most recognized of EDS vehicles. Canteens provide hydration and hot meals when and where they’re needed most.
As a Canteen Crew Member, you will serve on a full-service “kitchen on wheels” capable of preparing thousands of meals per day.
This position requires willingness to work on call. Volunteers commit to regularly scheduled shifts. Shifts can be once a week, once a month, or one weekend a month, but upholding your commitment is crucial to your team members and the first responders that we serve.
EDS Volunteer Qualifications:
- 18 years or older
- Confident and able to lead
- Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations
- Reliable, professional, and hard working
EDS Volunteer Requirements:
- Back Ground Check
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Volunteer Agreement Form
- Photo Release Form
- Statement of Volunteer for work with children form
Paperwork must be completed and approved before beginning this EDS position
EDS Volunteer Training:
- EDS Safe From Harm.
- EDS Intro to The Salvation Army
- EDS Food Service ServSafe®
- NDTP Disaster Food Service & Canteen Operations
- NDTP Incident Command System
Activity Summary:
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is there when disaster strikes. From serving firefighters, victims of local house fires, to assisting first responders in national disasters like the Joplin tornado, EDS relief efforts are supporting communities in times of significant need.
Canteens, or mobile kitchens, are the most recognized of EDS vehicles. Canteens provide hydration and hot meals when and where they’re needed most.
As a Duty Officer, you will be responsible for receiving calls from the EDS disaster hotline that agencies use to request the service of an EDS Canteen. You will gather the needed information over the phone and then dispatch drivers and crews to emergency sites. The Duty officer is responsible for monitoring all EDS vehicle movement until the canteen driver and crew are released from the scene and back in quarters.
This position requires commitment to a being on call for a regularly scheduled shift. Shifts can be once a week, once a month, or one weekend a month, but upholding commitment is crucial to team members and the first responders that EDS serves.
EDS Volunteer Qualifications:
- 21 years or older
- Valid Driver’s license
- High energy level and the ability to stand for hours at a time
- Confident and able to lead
- Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations
- Reliable, professional, and hard working
EDS Volunteer Requirements:
- Back Ground Check
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Volunteer Agreement Form
- Photo Release Form
- Statement of Volunteer for work with children form
Activity Summary:
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is involved in several Disaster Training Events each year with various Emergency Agencies who request our presence to partake in training as if it were an actual disaster event [O’Hare Int’l Airport Full-Scale Field Exercise].
Yearly, EDS plans for flood disasters by recruiting volunteers to pack flood kits, pack and deliver 10,000 boxes of food at Christmas time, and is called upon by emergency agencies to serve water and food at their planned events, such as the Chicago Air & Water Show.
As a Volunteer for a Special Duty/Event; your responsibilities could include serving snacks and hydration , and hot meals at disaster training events; or Salvation Army Corps Duties.
This position is ideal for the person who needs advanced notice to volunteer. Special duties and events are planned in advance.
EDS Volunteer Qualifications:
- 18 years or older
- High energy level and the ability to stand for hours at a time
- Confident and able to lead
- Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations
- Reliable, professional, and hard working
EDS Volunteer Requirements:
- Back Ground Check
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Volunteer Agreement Form
- Photo Release Form
- Statement of Volunteer for work with children form
Paperwork must be completed and approved before beginning this EDS position
Activity Summary:
Yearly, EDS plans for flood disasters by recruiting volunteers to pack flood kits, also EDS pack and deliver over 10,000 boxes of food at Christmas time.
As a Volunteer for a warehouse project; your responsibilities could include packing, stacking boxes, assembling flood kits or food boxes. Additionally, collecting donated products from various organization groups as needed.
This position is ideal for the person who needs advanced notice to volunteer. Warehouse projects are planned in advance.
EDS Volunteer Qualifications:
- 18 years or older
- High energy level and the ability to stand for hours at a time
- Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations
- Reliable, professional, and hard working
EDS Does Not Require Paperwork Back Gound Check for this type of volunteering.
EDS Volunteer Training is optional:
- EDS Safe From Harm
- EDS Intro to The Salvation Army
- EDS Food Service ServSafe®
- NDTP Disaster Food Service & Canteen Operations
- NDTP Incident Command System
Activity Summary:
As a member of the Emotional & Spiritual Care Team, qualified individuals assist families, individuals, and first responders who experience a wide range of trauma associated with an event or disaster.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training is required for participation.Through a partnership with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, EDS sponsors a wide range of CISM courses at its headquarters in Elk Grove Village, IL.
EDS Volunteer Qualifications:
- 18 years or older
- Valid Driver’s license
- High energy level and the ability to stand for hours at a time
- Confident and able to lead
- Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations
- Reliable, professional, and hard working
EDS Volunteer Requirements:
- Back Ground Check
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Volunteer Agreement Form
- Photo Release Form
- Statement of Volunteer for work with children form
Paperwork must be completed and approved before beginning this EDS position
EDS Volunteer Training:
- EDS Safe From Harm
- EDS Intro to The Salvation Army
- EDS Food Service ServSafe®
- NDTP Disaster Food Service & Canteen Operations
- NDTP Incident Command System
- CISM Pastoral Crisis Intervention & Emotional & Spiritual Care
The goal of The Salvation Army’s disaster training program is to equip individuals to serve during times of crisis. Courses are conducted in a stress-free classroom environment that emphasizes group interaction and cooperative learning.
During a disaster, The Salvation Army relies upon trained disaster workers to coordinate emergency relief operations to deliver compassionate care to disaster survivors. The Salvation Army’s national disaster training program includes courses developed by The Salvation Army and training certified by other partner organizations whose technical expertise is nationally recognized in a given field.