Who can forget the sight of thousands of Albertans fleeing for their lives down Highway 63? Walls of flame threatened from every side. Canadians were anxiously glued to televisions and computer screens, praying for their safety.
“Where is The Salvation Army in the midst of all this chaos?” asked one caller to my office. “Why are other charities, such as the Red Cross, all over the news and there's hardly a mention of the Army?” It's a fair and direct question, but the answer is complex.
The Fort McMurray fires represent the largest natural disaster in Canadian history. An entire city was evacuated. Many of the 88,000 residents had only 30 minutes to race home, gather the family, grab one or two personal treasures and hit the road. Miraculously, no one perished in the fire, apart from the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two young people.
After the government declared a state of emergency, the Red Cross was given oversight of the support services for displaced residents—a mammoth undertaking. It meant registering and tracking tens of thousands of people who desperately needed shelter, food and clothing.
So what about the caller's question? Was the Army pushed into the background by the government and various media outlets? Were we not mobilized? Were we somehow ineffective in telling our story? Here is my response:
Those who followed the news on our websites and social media channels will know that The Salvation Army was quick to spring into action. On April 30, we provided support to the Fort McMurray Fire Department and set up an Incident Command Centre in Edmonton. We partnered with charities such as Urban Rescue and served as many as 4,000 meals a day to first responders.
The hours were long and arduous. Changing weather conditions put those on the front lines at risk. Sleeping accommodations were primitive. Our teams of volunteers stood tall in these difficult circumstances.
At the beginning of the crisis, the mayor of Fort McMurray invited the Army to provide emotional and spiritual support to citizens. The mayor understood that The Salvation Army has been a presence in the community for almost 40 years. And when the smoke clears and life returns to normal, the Sally Ann will continue to serve those in need.
On June 1, as residents trickled back in to assess what was left of their possessions, the Army was present at all eight welcome centres to greet them. As Major Ron Cartmell, divisional commander for the Alberta and Northern Territories Division, noted, “The focus was on being the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Lessons are learned every time disaster strikes. Whether it's 9/11, the SwissAir disaster, the Red River floods or ice storms, the Army will be there. In the meantime, hats off to the Red Cross and thousands of others who reached out with helping hands to their neighbours in distress.
EDS by the Numbers
Lt-Colonel Jim Champ is the secretary for communications for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
“Where is The Salvation Army in the midst of all this chaos?” asked one caller to my office. “Why are other charities, such as the Red Cross, all over the news and there's hardly a mention of the Army?” It's a fair and direct question, but the answer is complex.
The Fort McMurray fires represent the largest natural disaster in Canadian history. An entire city was evacuated. Many of the 88,000 residents had only 30 minutes to race home, gather the family, grab one or two personal treasures and hit the road. Miraculously, no one perished in the fire, apart from the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two young people.
After the government declared a state of emergency, the Red Cross was given oversight of the support services for displaced residents—a mammoth undertaking. It meant registering and tracking tens of thousands of people who desperately needed shelter, food and clothing.
So what about the caller's question? Was the Army pushed into the background by the government and various media outlets? Were we not mobilized? Were we somehow ineffective in telling our story? Here is my response:
- I thank God for dedicated Red Cross workers who provide a much-needed service. We are not in competition with them or any other charitable organization that seeks to help others.
- When disaster strikes, the focus should always be on the victims. We are there to serve in whatever way is most beneficial to the collective effort, not to serve our own interests.
- The Salvation Army is a multifaceted service organization. While we value our emergency disaster services (EDS), expanding our presence means diverting resources from other essential ministries.
Those who followed the news on our websites and social media channels will know that The Salvation Army was quick to spring into action. On April 30, we provided support to the Fort McMurray Fire Department and set up an Incident Command Centre in Edmonton. We partnered with charities such as Urban Rescue and served as many as 4,000 meals a day to first responders.
The hours were long and arduous. Changing weather conditions put those on the front lines at risk. Sleeping accommodations were primitive. Our teams of volunteers stood tall in these difficult circumstances.
At the beginning of the crisis, the mayor of Fort McMurray invited the Army to provide emotional and spiritual support to citizens. The mayor understood that The Salvation Army has been a presence in the community for almost 40 years. And when the smoke clears and life returns to normal, the Sally Ann will continue to serve those in need.
On June 1, as residents trickled back in to assess what was left of their possessions, the Army was present at all eight welcome centres to greet them. As Major Ron Cartmell, divisional commander for the Alberta and Northern Territories Division, noted, “The focus was on being the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Lessons are learned every time disaster strikes. Whether it's 9/11, the SwissAir disaster, the Red River floods or ice storms, the Army will be there. In the meantime, hats off to the Red Cross and thousands of others who reached out with helping hands to their neighbours in distress.
EDS by the Numbers
- Trained personnel/volunteers across Canada: 3,321
- Canteens and support vehicles: 47
- Average yearly responses (fires, first responder support, etc.): 250
- Emergency services training courses: 17
Lt-Colonel Jim Champ is the secretary for communications for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
Praise God we have people willing to volunteer to support the men, women, children, even the family pets effected by such a disaster. Praise God the SA doesn't hide from disaster but heads into it without hesitation even if they don't get all the media attention.