THE SALVATION ARMY WESTERN DIVISION LOOKS TO EXPAND ITS DISASTER RESPONSE WITH TWO NEW VEHICLES
OMAHA, Nebraska – Western Division Disaster Services Coordinator Todd Connely said a pair of brand-new disaster-response canteens were delivered to Divisional Headquarters in December.
"These vehicles are able to respond to any sort of disaster—locally or nationally," Connely said.
Since they’re larger than the fleet’s older vehicles, Connely said they are able to carry larger quantities of food, water and clothes, which is essential.
"Since we're going to areas where we really don't know exactly what's happened—whether it's a blizzard, power outage, tornado—we're able to stock these vehicles with items that we may need in anticipation of what the community would want," he said.
Disaster services teams not only give those items to survivors, but to first responders, as well.
"Whether it's just a quick snack, something to eat, something to drink during the incident that'll help them maintain their energy," Connely said. “They're able to concentrate on the task at hand, whether it's a fire, whether it's searching for somebody."
The new canteens are also equipped with Starlink internet services. Using a small satellite dish, he said they can connect to the internet wherever they go.
"If we're out in someplace in Iowa or South Dakota or Nebraska that doesn't have internet access or power—we can quickly set this up and be able to contact or communicate with any [Salvation Army] office...and let them know what we are doing, what supplies we need, what other resources we're required to have."