[BARC-List] FW: Emergency Disaster Services Bulletin - California Fires

[Frank Murphy]

To: Bill_Foley@use.salvationarmy.org       10/29/03 05:09 PM
                   
Subject: Emergency Disaster Services Bulletin
                   


 SALVATION ARMY PLAYS CRITICAL ROLE IN WILDFIRE RELIEF WORK IN CALIFORNIA


        Southern California - (October 28, 2003) From the moment the fires
began on Saturday evening, The Salvation Army has played an important role
in the relief effort. Immediately mobilizing local and regional emergency
disaster relief resources, The Salvation Army has been assisting people
throughout southern California. As in other emergency disaster situations,
The Salvation Army's first priority is to meet the physical needs of those
immediately involved. These include first responders, firefighters, police
and emergency response workers, the most recent evacuees, and those already
sheltered in evacuation centers.
        Eight Salvation Army emergency disaster vehicles (canteens) staffed
by Salvation Army officers (pastors) and emergency disaster relief
volunteers are providing water, coffee, food, comfort supplies and pastoral
counseling. Canteens are stationed at the law enforcement command center in
Lakeside, near fire lines in East San Diego County and Chula Vista, and at
the shelter at Santana High School in Santee. Salvation Army personnel in
canteens on the fire lines are working around the clock, having served over
1,000 police and fire officials. In addition, The Salvation Army's regional
headquarters in southern California has sent a tractor-trailer truck filled
with emergency relief items. Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
(SATERN) continues to provide communication for the relief effort.
        Two Salvation Army canteens were stationed at the Qualcomm Stadium
that became a unplanned gathering point for evacuees with no place to go.
Officials have since moved evacuees to indoor facilities including The
Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center. They are expecting to
serve as many as 2,000. The Salvation Army is prepared to shelter up to
5,000 evacuees at the Kroc Center and corps and community centers (centers
for worship and service) throughout affected areas. Salvation Army social
service workers are on standby to assist as needed.
        The Salvation Army's camp and conference center in Ramona, Calif.,
was destroyed by the fires but all campers and personnel were safely
evacuated.

Monetary donations, earmarked Disaster Relief, may be sent to your local
Salvation Army (Boston) or made online at www.salvationarmysouth.org or by
calling
1-800-SAL-ARMY.