‘Equip the Frontlines’ Wins Award

by Hugo Bravo

On Thursday, January 29, The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division was honored with a 2026 PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Pittsburgh Renaissance Award of Merit in the nonprofit communications campaign category for its Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) campaign, “Equip the Frontlines.” The annual awards recognize the region’s most original and inspired public relations, marketing, and communications campaigns.

“Equip the Frontlines” was produced to raise awareness and encourage fundraising that will allow the EDS program to continue serving first responders and survivors of disasters across 28 counties in western Pennsylvania. The multimedia campaign, a collaboration between The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division (WPA) and Eastern Territorial Headquarters Communications Department video team, included print and digital fundraising pieces and a four-minute video spot interviewing advocates who’ve worked with the Army in western Pennsylvania.  

“We came up with ‘Equip the Frontlines’ to show how The Salvation Army is both equipping the first responders and the survivors at the scene,” says Nicole Harrell, director of marketing and public relations for The Salvation Army WPA Division.  

They pitched the idea to the Eastern Territory’s video team, and last February, the team went to Pittsburgh to meet with the Army’s various connections during times of crisis. Leaders from FedEx, the Fire Bureau of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Emergency Services, and Friends of 93 spoke warmly about EDS and the importance of The Salvation Army ministry during difficult times.  

“This was a great opportunity to get our advocates on camera. Nobody tells the story of EDS better than those who are living it with us every day,” says Harrell. 

“Equip the Frontlines” is not the first campaign from The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania to be honored with a PRSA Pittsburgh Renaissance Award. In 2024, its campaign on the LIGHT Project, the Army’s Pittsburgh-based anti–human trafficking initiative, was recognized.  

To support the work of The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania’s Emergency Disaster Services, visit “Equip the Frontlines.”