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Released 27 August 2008
THE SALVATION ARMY PREPARING TO RESPOND TO GUSTAV
Preparedness for Gustav begins as Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary approaches
Jackson, Miss. (August 27, 2008) - As Tropical Storm Gustav makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico, The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services teams in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi have placed 24 Mobile Feeding Units and a fully-equipped mobile kitchen on preparedness alert to deliver crucial support to storm victims, emergency aid workers, and volunteers in communities affected by the landfall of Gustav even as recovery form Hurricane Katrina continues in New Orleans and the Mississippi Coast.
The Salvation Army will dispatch the feeding units to areas identified by state and local disaster management officials, including clean-up sites, emergency shelters and flooded regions.
The Salvation Army also distributes clean-up kits, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies. Other resources provided include drinking water, shower units, and first aid supplies.
Food and supplies will be staged in forward areas beginning Saturday, where they will be kept at a safe distance from winds and storm-surge regions yet close enough to be moved immediately after the storm to meet the needs of victims and first-responders.
The Salvation Army is preparing its Emergency Radio Network (The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network: SATERN) to answer inquiries on the whereabouts of victims.
SATERN, which works closely with the Hurricane Watch Net and the Maritime Mobile Net, garners reports from their net frequencies and stands ready to handle emergency communications from the affected areas as the hurricane prepares to make landfall. The SATERN organization values the input and help of these traditional emergency organizations, along with the help of countless individual operators, who provide inestimable expertise and logistical, strategic intelligence to the overall operation. SATERN is also responsible for health and welfare information inquiries during a disaster event. Individuals seeking information about loved ones in the disaster areas may register an inquiry online at www.satern.org.
The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in Gustav's path to prepare an Emergency supply kit, prepare an evacuation plan, and stay informed to all warnings and evacuation orders. Disaster response professionals recommend having a three to five day supply of food and water for each individual of your family as well as flashlights, medication, and battery powered radio.
"It is imperative that residents of New Orleans and the central Gulf Coast region heed all warnings and orders associated with Tropical Storm Gustav, regardless of its path," said Captain Ethan Frizzell, Area Commander for The Salvation Army in New Orleans. "It is important that each of us prepare now for Gustav."
For information on ways to assist The Salvation Army in meeting the needs of the victims of Gustav, persons may call 1-800-SALARMY or visit our website at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org. In order to meet the specific needs of storm victims in affected areas monetary donations are being accepted. The Salvation Army is currently not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for storm victims, please forward these donations to The Salvation Army Family Store nearest you.
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About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Over 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.