On Monday April 9, massive brush fires broke out in Long Island's Suffolk County. The flames engulfed 1,000 acres of land, forcing evacuations and threatening homes.
Long Island Salvation Army officers Envoy Charles Roberts and Lt. Jonathon Ross, who run community centers in Riverhead and Bluepoint, learned quickly of the escalating situation and immediately notified the Army's Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) unit.
Both staff from the local Salvation Army's and the EDS unit collaborated with members of the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management and the Long Island American Red Cross to address the crisis.
That evening from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m., The Salvation Army provided snacks and hydration for the approximately 100 fire crews based at the church in Manorville which served as headquarters for the response effort.
Tuesday morning, additional Salvation Army staff and a crew of Salvation Army volunteers arrived. The team set up a 10' by 20' tent, which became a mobile respite center to service the hundreds of responders and county administrators at the site. It also became the drop-off point for all community donations.
The Salvation worked with local agencies to solicit local vendors for fresh deli sandwiches, hot soup, baked ziti, hot bread, homemade cookies, snacks, water, Gatorade, and fresh fruit. This generous outpouring of support provided sustenance for 500 individuals throughout the course of the afternoon.
With their nutritional needs being met, the firefighters were able to devote their full attention to successfully bringing the blaze under control.
Every emergency is unique and creates its own special needs. The Salvation Army's disaster relief services are readily adapted to the specific needs of the individuals and communities impacted. They are also scalable according to the magnitude of the disaster.
It is our fervent hope that in the upcoming hurricane season the New York area will not face further devastation. However, in the event that the unexpected occurs, The Salvation Army will be there.
For more information about The Salvation Army Greater New York Division's Emergency Disaster Services Click Here.