Salvation Army Responds to Bridge Collapse

Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel are bringing physical, emotional and spiritual aid to hundreds of survivors and relief workers following the I-35W bridge collapse yesterday evening in Minneapolis.

Four people perished in the collapse and the death toll is expected to climb. Scores of people were injured.

Three Salvation Army emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) and 15 volunteers are on scene at the collapse. One vehicle is stationed on north side of the Mississippi River at 2nd ST SE and 8th Ave., and in the south at 1201 West River Rd. The third unit is at the recovery area of 354 East River Pkwy.

Salvation Army volunteers are providing food and water, donated by Cub Foods, for relief workers and survivors, and also offering spiritual and emotional care. The Salvation Army has so far served about 450 people.

Fargo Salvation Army Captain Adam Moore witnessed the collapse. He was about a half mile south of the bridge on Washington Ave., ready to head north on I-35W.

Once he realized what had happened, he immediately began coordinating Salvation Army disaster services efforts and offered spiritual care to people at the scene.

"This is why the Salvation Army exists," Moore says. "We help people make sense of tragedy and help them put the pieces back together."

The Salvation Army responds to calls for help from local law enforcement and becomes part of the Emergency Operation Center set up in times of disaster. Salvation Army emergency staff and volunteers are trained both in food service and Critical Incident Stress Management.

Monetary donations may be sent your local Salvation Army earmarked "Disaster Relief," made online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

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