Aug 30

Written by: jserigny
8/30/2008 12:09 PM

Red Cross Provides Clarification on Disaster Response Role

[New Orleans] August 30, 2008 – The American Red Cross would like to clarify its disaster role before Hurricane Gustav makes landfall and as people begin evacuating.



The initial priority of the American Red Cross is to ensure people have a safe place to take refuge during the storm, food and emotional support. However, the American Red Cross does not determine when and where congregate shelters will be opened. Your local Parish’s Office of Emergency Preparedness will make and share that information with the media. As soon as this information is announced publicly, the American Red Cross will publicize shelter locations throughout the community.



“This is a community response,” said Kay Wilkins, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter. “The Red Cross doesn’t have the expertise, equipment or resources to perform every disaster service, but we are partnering with dozens of organizations to ensure all of our community’s disaster-caused needs are met.”



Services such as providing transportation for evacuees, search and rescue, advanced medical care, and medical sheltering are best performed by government agencies or organization that have the resources, the trained workers, the expertise to carry out those functions. Please call your local Parish’s Office of Emergency Preparedness hotlines. A listing is also available at www.arcno.org.



· Orleans Parish: 3-1-1

· Jefferson Parish Emergency Evacuation Transportation: 736-6086

· Assumption Parish: 985-369-7386

· Lafourche Parish: 985-357-7603

· Terrebonne Parish: 985-873-6357

· St. Mary Parish: 337-828-4100

· St. Charles Parish: 985-783-5050

· St. John Parish: 985-652-2222

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