OLEAN – With an everyday presence in communities across the country, The Salvation Army is often among the first to provide assistance when disaster strikes. Anyone interested in being part of that response to local disasters will have the opportunity to receive training and become certified through The Salvation Army in Olean this October.

“Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services (EDS)” will run from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at The Salvation Army at 310 East State Street, Olean.

The course is free, and open to anyone who registers in advance – by Sept. 30. Materials and dinner will be provided. To register, contact the Olean Salvation Army at 716-372-6740, or register online.

Leslie Vattimo, a certified instructor and director of disaster services for The Salvation Army’s Empire State Division, said that volunteers completing the training can become certified in Emergency Disaster Services and receive a Salvation Army photo ID.

“This training,” she said, “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.”

The 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. Vattimo is certified through the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), the National Salvation Army, and Medic First Aid.