HORNELL, NY – The Salvation Army on Sept. 23 deployed an Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team from Hornell to assist the hurricane victims in Texas.

The three-person team, which will staff a Mobile Disaster Canteen for two weeks, is comprised of Tammy Zuch, team leader, and Mike and Judy O’Hern, all of Hornell.

“They report to the Command Post in Houston, where they are given their assignment,” said Leslie Vattimo, EDS director for The Salvation Army’s Empire State Division. “They are flying down and will replace a crew in one of the over 100 Salvation Army Disaster Canteens in hurricane-stricken areas.”

Noting the team is one of the newest to be trained, and the first to be deployed, from the Empire State Division, Vattimo said: “All have been trained in Emergency Disaster Services, Incident Command System, First Aid/CPR. The O’Herns have been additionally trained in emergency Food Service.”

Salvation Army canteens continue to canvass the Hurricane Ike-affected areas, providing food and water to first responders and victims. To date, The Salvation Army has served over 1.2 million meals to hurricane victims and first responders.

Vattimo said the Empire State Division has been conducting disaster training around the state for people interested in joining an EDS team from their local community. An introductory EDS class is being offered at The Salvation Army in Olean on Thursday, Oct. 2. (For more information, call the Olean Salvation Army at 716-372-6740.)

The Empire State Division encompasses 4 Area Services, 47 Corps and 170 Volunteer Service Units in 48 upstate counties.