Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Volunteers Gain Real World Experience

A recent disaster exercise in London provided on the job training for Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) volunteers and staff. The scenario took place during a once in a 500-year flood of the Thames River, requiring a massive evacuation of local residents and neighbourhoods.

The Salvation Army provided food and drinks at breakfast and lunch to 60 people involved in the exercise. The EDS team made vegetarian, gluten-free soup on-site and the kitchen staff at The Salvation Army London Centre of Hope provided chili for lunch. Snacks, coffee, tea and hot chocolate were handed out throughout the day.

“Exercises are a fantastic way to practice skills and training, work with emergency partners and continue to build and strengthen relationships with Emergency Medical Services (EMS), police, fire and municipalities, and this year, the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Trevor McLellan, The Salvation Army’s Ontario EDS Coordinator.

Ontario municipalities are required by law to do an exercise every year, and the EDS scenario in London brought together London Police and Fire Services, Middlesex-London EMS and HMCS Prevost, the Naval Reserve Division in London.

Naval Reservists helped to retrieve stranded residents who decided to stay during the initial evacuation. While in the water helping these residents, reservists and London police and fire personnel responded to a call to rescue two canoeists who capsized in the Thames River.

“The Salvation Army frequently gets invited to attend these preparedness scenarios to support emergency management programs across the province,” Trevor said.

Learn more about the role The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services plays in supporting communities in times of crisis or donate by visiting www.salvationarmy.ca/eds.