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September 01, 2005
San Diego Shows Its (Admirable) Character In Wake Of Katrina
Local Red Cross Workers Head To Gulf Coast
Dozens of San Diego-based relief workers headed Thursday for the Gulf Coast, where thousands are feared dead and millions have been left without vital services in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross is preparing to send hundreds of relief workers from across the country to the devastated areas, including the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter," the organization said.
Nine trained Red Cross volunteers from San Diego have been deployed to assist in the relief operation, said Gayle Falkenthal of the organization's local chapter.
Three are in Florida, three in Baton Rouge, La., two are in Houston awaiting assignments, and another person is in Washington, D.C., helping to manage food distribution operations, Falkenthal said.
The Red Cross considers the hurricane volunteers' efforts a "hardship" assignment due to the lack of water, power and the extreme heat in many affected areas, according to Falkenthal.
They will be housed and fed in Red Cross shelters.
The San Diego Red Cross chapter is also taking part in the nationwide "Response Call Network," at (866) GET-INFO. Local volunteer call center operators began taking calls on 10 incoming phone lines Tuesday, according to Falkenthal.
About 1,500 calls were received on the first day including inquiries about the welfare of family members, requests for lifesaving assistance and offers by the public to help with donations, according to the Red Cross.
An 80-member team of emergency-services specialists from various government agencies in the San Diego area set off for Mississippi Wednesday in a fleet of buses and trucks, hauling tons of search-and-rescue equipment with them.
"It's a mammoth undertaking," Maurice Luque, a public information officer for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, said Wednesday. "There hasn't been an activation of this size since 9/11."
The contingent is part of the regional Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 8, one of 28 such teams in the nation, eight based in California. All of them are deploying in communities devastated by Katrina.
"It's the first time that's ever happened," Luque noted.
The local personnel -- including firefighters, medical technicians, hazardous-materials handlers and structural engineers -- left in the early evening for Hattiesburg, Miss., aboard passenger coaches and three flatbeds.
With them were three scenting dogs and a cargo of generators, excavators, jackhammers, pry bars, heavy-duty saws, tents, sleeping bags and other equipment, as well as food and water to last about three days.
The emergency workers -- from agencies in Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Oceanside, Riverside and San Diego -- were expected to reach the disaster zone in about 30 hours.
The local chapters of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army continued, meanwhile, to collect financial contributions to assist hurricane victims.
The civic groups collected about $150,000 in local donations Wednesday.
The American Red Cross is accepting financial gifts through its Disaster Relief Fund, which helps the organization provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need, according to Falkenthal.
San Diegans can donate money by calling (800) HELP-NOW, (800) 257-7575, or online at Red Cross.
Posted by Mark at September 1, 2005 06:18 AM
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