DETROIT, April 15, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is helping The Salvation Army better respond to emergencies in Southeast Michigan with a customized Ford Transit van.

The Transit will serve as a disaster response unit as part of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division Emergency Disaster Services’ canteen fleet. A similar Transit will be donated by Ford in Kansas City.

The disaster services volunteer team responds to calls for help from local authorities, and provides food, beverages, blankets, clothing, temporary shelter, communications support, emergency lighting, clean-up kits and comfort to victims and families of major disasters. The team also aids police, firefighters and other first responders at the emergency scene.

“Assisting with disaster relief is an important part of our mission to serve the communities where we live and work,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford. “The flexibility of the Ford Transit van makes it a great fit for The Salvation Army’s emergency response fleet.”

Ford has a long history of supporting disaster relief, as well as The Salvation Army.

The sleek design of the Ford Transit canteen will enable volunteer responders to more easily maneuver the tight spaces that emergency scenes – such as house fires or weather-related situations – can sometimes present.

The 2016 Ford Transit 350 cargo van has a high roof that enables someone 6 feet, 9 inches tall to stand upright inside. Custom elements include emergency LED strobe lighting in the grille and roof, plus sirens and external speakers. A generator and ham radio antenna will help keep The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team connected during a disaster.

The extended-wheelbase van offers more than 487 cubic feet of cargo space to house a custom-installed two-burner stovetop, microwave, coffeemaker, refrigerator, freezer, sink and electric hot water heater. Further food service upfits include two water tanks, a water pump and countertops. Food will be served through a custom window with a fold-out stainless steel shelf protected by a 10-foot awning.

Fully stocked, the Transit will be able to serve approximately 250 disaster victims and first responder personnel.

LED ceiling lights controlled by four switches will help improve interior visibility at disaster sites. The upfits were completed by Livonia, Michigan-based Technosports Creative.

The dual-rear-wheel van is powered by an available 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost^® engine.