ALBANY – The Salvation Army will offer emergency disaster training on Jan. 23 in preparation for forming a new disaster response team, announced Maj. Lydia Pearson, director of The Salvation Army’s Albany Area Services.

“Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services (EDS)” will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at The Salvation Army, 20 S. Ferry St., Albany.

The course is free, and open to anyone who registers in advance, Major Pearson said. Materials and lunch will be provided. To register, contact the Albany Salvation Army at 518-463-6678, or click here to register online.

“This training is the first step for people who would like to become part of an Emergency Disaster Services team, ready to help their local community or even in a disaster elsewhere,” noted Leslie Vattimo, certified instructor and director of disaster services for The Salvation Army's Empire State Division. Volunteers completing the training can become certified in Disaster Services and receive a Salvation Army photo ID, she said.

In the introductory course, “participants will learn about The Salvation Army, its mission, how it operates in disaster situations, how they would fit in and what would be expected of them, including how they can best prepare and equip themselves for disaster relief,” Vattimo said.

This introductory course is a prerequisite for advanced disaster training in the Incident Command System, Food Service and Food Safety, First Aid/CPR, Emotional and Spiritual Care, plus additional specialized courses, she said.