Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES)
 On average, The Salvation Army Emergency Services attend an emergency at least once every day of the year.
It responds to people in times of emergency and disaster, providing assistance such as:
- refreshments
- meals
- clothing
- financial aid
- accommodation
- emergency shelters
- counselling
- responsible referral
This is a service which operates 24 hours per day. It is only called out by the authorities as per the relevant State Disaster Plan. For this reason, contact details are not provided to the general public.
Supporters:
Some of the many emergencies where the Salvos Emergency Services have attended:
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Willunga, Gumeracha and Williamstown Bushfires (Mar 08)
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Kangaroo Island Fires (Dec 07 Oct & Jan 06 Apr 05)
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Melbourne's Burnley Tunnel Accident (Mar 07)
- Drought 2007
- Dwelingup Fires (Feb 07)
- Riverland Bushfires (Dec 06)
- Onkaparinga Bushfire (Nov 06)
- Peterborough Bushfires (Nov 06)
- Whyalla - Fire in Salt Factory (July 06)
- Gladstone Explosion (May 06)
- Mt Compass Bushfires (Jan 06)
- Willunga Bushfire (Jan 06)
- Cowell Bushfires (Jan 06)
- Karoonda Bushfire (Dec 05)
- Murray Bridge Bushfire (Dec 05)
- Gawler River Floods (Nov 05)
- Gillman Search (Oct 05)
- Horsnell Gully Search (Sept 05)
- West Beach Shark Attack (Aug 05)
- Novar Gardens Pensioner Search (Jan 05)
- Port Lincoln Fires (Jan 05)
- Murray Bridge Floods (Dec 04)
- Waterfall Gully Fires (Dec 04)
- Belair Train Derailment (Nov 04)
- Anstey Hill Fire (Nov 04)
- Moora Floods (March 99)
- Cyclone Vance Exmouth (March 99)
- Thredbo Disaster - landslide (July 97)
- Port Arthur Massacre (April 96)
- Ash Wednesday (Feb 83)
- Cyclone Tracy (Dec 74)
- Westgate Bridge Collapse (Oct 70)
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the emergency services team encompasses the caring ministry of Jesus Christ, and ministers to those working within the emergency services network, as well as victims, witnesses, families, and other persons affected, at a time of emergency and/or disaster by providing practical and spiritual support.
GOALS
- To demonstrate through service, the reality of a relationship with Jesus, and the love of God.
- To seek to meet the immediate needs of people faced with and involved in a disaster or an emergency.
- To assist victims of a disaster to continue with a quality of life.
- To assist towards resolution of personal and social stress.
- To refer towards recovery phrase.
- To listen.
HISTORY
The Salvation Army is a church with a commitment to complimenting Christian teaching with practical action. "...a cup of cold water in My name..." was the challenge of Jesus to all believers. We are able to provide this in a very meaningful way.This commitment has resulted in The Salvation Army being involved in a caring ministry when our country was at war, andin the present day, providing support to members of the community at a time of spiritual, emotional and material need. As such, when there is a need created by an emergency incident, The Salvation Army has aimed to be there.To ensure that the support during these incidents was efficient and effective, a structured response was required, and accordingly, the emergency services of The Salvation Army has been developed.
ROLE
The role of The Salvation Army can differ from state to state according to the government plan, but our assistance can take two forms:
Response
- refreshments
- meals
- clothing
- counselling
Key Emergency Services Providers
- Fire Brigade
- Police
- State Emergency Services
- State & Local Governments
- Church & welfare agencies
- Service clubs
- Red Cross
- St Johns Ambulance Service
- The Salvation Army
Recovery
- finance
- clothing
- household goods
- referral
- counselling
- accommodation
Key Emergency Services Providers
- State & Local Governments
- Church & welfare agencies
- Service clubs
- Red Cross
- St Johns Ambulance Service
- The Salvation Army
PHILOSOPHY
This ministry is an expression of a Christian response to human need. The teaching of Christ has encouraged us to "show love to our neighbour" "when you feed the hungry, clothe the cold and show concern for those in need you can do it for Christ"The emergency services of The Salvation Army provide assistance to members of the community affected by, or combating emergency incidents whether caused by natural means or otherwise.The Salvation Army uniform can enter into situations and places unavailable to others, and we should use every opportunity provided to us to demonstrate the church in action. It provides an opportunity for Christian service for those who seek to serve the community as volunteers.The ministry of The Salvation Army through this avenue of service provides an example to the community of the value of accepting and following the Christian faith.
POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES
In providing a ministry to persons involved within and affected by an emergency/disaster, we recognise that there is not only an appreciation for the refreshments and material provisions, but often a need for a listening ear. We aim to cultivate a climate of care and trust.
 MASTER PLAN
- To provide a worthwhile participation with our role in the State Disaster Plan.
- To be able to provide refreshments as soon as possible after the announcement of an emergency, with equipment that enables a worthy response. In most situations this is done with very well equipped trailers.
- To have back up crews to relieve.
- To permit the response stage to enter into the recovery stage.
- To provide necessary goods (clothing, household goods etc).
Cooperation
- To work under leadership of state/regional director.
- To provide reports to director with regard to deployment and return.
- To make sure that equipment is kept in preparation for an emergency.
- To build good team work.
 Education
A comprehensive educational program will explain:
- the system and its functions
- how the system is activated
- how equipment is used
- safety measures
- critical incident stress management
Ground rules
- To keep equipment in good working order.
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No one should enter emergency area without notification to director.
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No one should enter emergency area without permission of authorities.
- To provide need of the moment (refreshments, support) in a safe area.
- To make a report at end of exercise.
- To provide follow up support of those involved.
 Setting up teams
- Any corps or centre can have a team available to man a trailer or caravan.
- All volunteers must complete registration form.
- All team members must be trained.
- All team members must know the rules.
TRAINING
It is mandatory for all emergency services workers to attend a Salvation Army induction training program.The Salvation Army has a commitment to provide support and encourage ongoing training to all team membersTraining programBasic level - compulsory
- Introduction to emergency services
- History and philosophy of the service
- Basic local operation
- Health and safety
"Once again we looked to the Salvation Army… The Cadell Brigade would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the wonderful team of helpers for the unselfish support provided. We found your extremely high standards of compassion, empathy, sincerity, generosity and professionalism, enabled fire crews from all over the state to work around the clock."
Steve Dibben
Brigade Captain Cadell
Country Fire Service
On-going Levels
- Advanced local operation
- Use and maintenance of equipment
- Basic first aid
- Catering at a local level
- Role of other emergency service groups
- Working with other emergency service groups and community members
- Recruiting
- First aid (advanced course)
- The role of The Salvation Army under the State Disaster Plan
- Structure of Salvation Army Emergency Services
- Responsibility for safety and resources
- Accounting and completion of reports
- Coordinating large scale incidents
- Identifying and developing cooperation with other Salvation Army resources that may be needed during an emergency incident
- Developing cooperation with other agencies
- Training of volunteers
- Budgeting and financial accounting
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"On behalf of the Maude Rural Fire Brigade I would like to express our gratitude to the great crew from the Salvation Army who fed the many volunteer fire fighters during the Steiglitz fires in January … Your team of friendly workers did a great job, their wonderful sense of humour and the way they carried out their tasks all helped with the morale of our fire fighters."
Judy Schulze
Secretary
Maude Rural Fire Brigade
Awareness of critical incident stress management
- Providing mutual peer support
The training program is to include theoretical and practical training and be supported by interactive computer programs, videos and written material.All trainees will be tested, and issued with a certificate of achievement at the satisfactory completion of each level of training.
VOLUNTEERS
Introduction: Volunteers have provided invaluable support to The Salvation Army over many years.People volunteer for emergency service teams to participate in a community service which they consider is worthwhile.
Responsibilities
of The Salvation Army
- to care for the volunteers working with them
- to set clear job descriptions
- to help volunteers know how important they are to our service
- to include volunteers in training programs and social activities
Of the Volunteer
- to take the job seriously and behave responsibly
- to be prompt and reliable
- to work at the highest possible standard
- to be a faithful representative of the organisation
- to have a professional attitude toward voluntary work
- to obey rules of care and protection
Rights:
Of The Salvation Army
- to expect the volunteers to be in complete accord with the organisation
Of the volunteer
The Salvation Army values the support and service of volunteers and we endeavour to:
- treat volunteers as co-workers
- to inform volunteers about the organisation: its people, policies, structure, programs
- provide training for the job
- provide guidance and direction by someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in emergency services
- listen to the volunteers, and the suggestions they make, as they offer constructive advice and criticism
- respect the volunteers as individuals with thoughts, feelings and emotions
- have volunteers covered by insurance have service appropriately and effectively recognised
Insurance
The Salvation Army has volunteer workers insurance cover for personnel. Private vehicles used must be covered personally by full comprehensive insurance as per registration form.
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