Salvation Army EDS Volunteers Provide Relief To First Responders
When a disaster happens, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams spring into action. Maria Moreno is the EDS manager and training coordinator for the Western Division. She and her teams of volunteers recently responded to several unprecedented fire calls around the metro area, seven of which occurred during a 36-hour period.
“The first fire was a house fire in Bennington. Theresa Haack (a long time EDS Volunteer) met me at the scene, and we handed out more than 80 drinks and 50 snacks,” said Moreno.
Vince and Annie Stallbaumer are new EDS volunteers who responded to their first call at a recent wildfire in Sarpy County. There, they fed more than 35 firefighters with meals, drinks, and snacks.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without dedicated individuals like Mary Joseph who also serves as the Central Territory SATERN program coordinator. Mary traveled to the other end of Douglas County to offer rehab to two fire departments on location of a trailer fire.
A recent three-alarm fire at a vacant Omaha apartment complex saw fire crews on location for hours battling flames and smoke. EDS volunteers Todd and Garret Connelly helped us distribute more than 192 drinks and snacks to fire crews on scene.
“The volunteers that responded to these fires truly represent what The Salvation Army is all about. I am so proud of my EDS teams. I truly don’t think they know what an impact they make each and every time they respond to a fire call,” said Moreno.
And it’s more than just providing a snack or cold drink to our first responders. They know that we have their backs.
With each bottled water they hand to a first responder, their presence gives these first responders a sense of reassurance, knowing they do not have to worry about where their hydration supplies or assistance is coming from,” said Moreno.
The Salvation Army Western Division helps survivors recover from the havoc wreaked by a disaster. We reassure those impacted that no matter what, they are never alone. Interested in volunteering or helping with our EDS efforts? Click here or call our EDS team at 402-898-5885.