Louisiana, Katrina & the Red Cross
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Other Trips:


Note: If you are only interested in the photos, they are all available at "Louisiana Trip Photos" & Ashton's Photos (Added 11/1/05)

Index:
Monday, September 26, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Friday, September 30, 2005
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Sunday, October 2, 2005
Monday, October 3, 2005
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Thursday, October 6, 2005
Friday, October 7, 2005
Saturday, October 8, 2004
Sunday, October 9, 2005
Monday, October 10, 2005


Wednesday, 21 September, 2005

Well, it looks like I am going to have an unexpected trip to the Gulf. About a year ago I started working with our local Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Oswego, helping people recover from fires, floods & other local disasters. Over that time I have been taking courses to qualify as a Disaster Services Human Resource (DSHR). As a DSHR, you choose a 3 week period you wish to be available, your information is posted to a national network, and if someone needs your skills, you go to their location. I finished my courses, posted my information on Monday, and by Wednesday was assigned to the Louisiana area to help with the recovery from hurricanes Katrina & Rita.

The plan was to fly to Baton Rouge on Sunday, September 25th, however no flights were available so I switched to the 26th. This was described as a "hardship" placement, ie little water or food, no electricity, extreme heat & humidity, housing shortages, difficult working conditions, extreme emotional stress, transportation limitations, etc, so along with clothing & normal gear, we are asked to include 3 days of food & water. Should be an interesting first time out... All that stuff makes for a full duffel bag:

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