The Salvation Army will offer free Emergency Disaster Services training on March 9 for individuals who want to learn how to participate in disaster relief efforts.
The class covers an introduction to The Salvation Army's EDS and Safe from Harm Level One for disaster workers.
The free class is open to the public, but individuals must preregister for the class. It begins at 9 a.m. on March 9 and ends at 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided and limited spots are available.
"This is the first disaster training course in the state this year. We wanted to start the year out right," said Salvation Army Lt. Bradley Hargis.
He said the course provides people with the desire to respond to disasters as part of the relief effort the opportunity to become certified in disaster services. It will address details people often take for granted during a disaster, how to interact with those affected by a disaster, and other essentials of disaster relief.
"It's a twofold program; very proactive versus reactive," he said.
The course will be lead by Steven Hartsook, The Salvation Army's divisional director of emergency disaster services for Arkansas and Oklahoma. Hartsook has responded to several disasters with The Salvation Army over the years, including Hurricane Katrina.
"He's great. I've gotten to work for him personally on one disaster and he's definitely the EDS guru," Hargis said.
For more information or to register for the training, call Hargis at 501-655-2563 or visit http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/training.
Local on 02/19/2018