
Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members Jim McGinnis and Joe Riccardi with the American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle they are today driving to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to assist in pre-landfall evacuations. (Photo: Anita Salzberg)
Almost three years to the day after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) is activating its “Rapid Response Team” by deploying 47 highly trained disaster services responders to Louisiana. This action is being taken in anticipation of tropical storm Gustav growing to hurricane strength and coming ashore near New Orleans early next week. The team, comprised of volunteers, employees and our partners from FDNY’s Disaster Assistance Response Team, will assist in pre-landfall emergency plans in support of the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The storm, already responsible for 67 deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has moved from the Central American coast into the Caribbean, and is sweeping towards the United States. The National Hurricane Center in Miami predicts that it will grow in power as it approaches Louisiana over the weekend. Extensive plans by numerous agencies and organizations in advance preparation of Gustav are underway as residents mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
ARC/GNY’s “Rapid Response Team” will be led by CEO Theresa Bischoff and Chief Response Officer Scott Graham. The team will include specialists in operations management, sheltering, mental health, disaster assessment and workforce planning and training.
The American Red Cross has endorsed the “Rapid Response” initiative as a cohesive, efficient, effective means of providing emergency assistance for pre-landfall hurricane evacuations and post-landfall relief efforts. The diverse backgrounds and multi-lingual capabilities of the “Rapid Response Team” members facilitate a response effort that is culturally sensitive to the clients being served.
Additionally, “Rapid Response” Teams have the advantage of being on-call as a unit to deploy together as needed, giving an opportunity to build team cohesion and effectiveness. They also have advance information on the Chapter and community which they are going to support, giving them a greater opportunity to prepare.
“We are excited by our new ‘Response Team’ initiative and proud that so many of our volunteers and employees have stepped up to help the Gulf Coast prepare,” said ARC/GNY CEO Theresa Bischoff. “Their generosity of spirit is truly inspiring.”
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