Twenty years later after Salvation Army officers first set foot on American soil, The Salvation Army formally began its first national disaster response when a hurricane struck Galveston, Texas on September 8, 1900. The hurricane killed more than 5,000 people and virtually destroyed the city.

For the first time, The Salvation Army mobilized personnel, volunteers and resources throughout the country to provide prayer, emotional counsel and practical financial and material assistance. From that moment in time, The Salvation Army has never looked back nor failed to immediately respond when called to the scene of any disaster, whether it be fire, flood, storm, earthquake, aviation or acts of terrorism. 

The Salvation Army does not operate a full-time national disaster response team or administrative staff. Likewise, The Salvation Army has no national fund raising program designated specifically for disaster responses. So when disasters strike,

The Salvation Army responds through local community-based efforts. Local Salvation Army personnel take command and provide leadership and when the public responds with financial support, the money is channeled directly to the point of need without administrative overhead. 

In the Southern California area, The Salvation Army has responded to a number of local disasters including the civil unrest in 1992, the Malibu fires in 1993, the Northridge earthquake in 1994, and the Alaska Air crash of 2000. Services provided included feeding and counseling victims and rescue workers, setting up housing and providing financial aid to affected families.

The Salvation Army not only considers it part of its ministry to serve and minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families, individuals and emergency personnel in times of crisis, but a privilege as well. At all times, we stand at the ready. 

If you would like to volunteer to assist our Emergency Disaster Services Department, please call June Loo, 213-607-7331.