HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As tropical storm
Gustav became a hurricane today, Governor Edward G. Rendell directed the
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to coordinate state agency resources
to support hurricane preparation for the storm, which could hit the Gulf Coast
region as early as this weekend.
"The Gulf Coast has faced its fair share of natural disasters over recent
years," said Governor Rendell. "We understand the needs and fears of the
people in these states as they face another unpredictable storm. Resources
from the commonwealth have been made available to support ongoing preparedness
missions and we will continue to support these states however we can."
The Governor said a number of state resources will be mobilized to help
the hurricane preparation in the Gulf Coast. The Governor urged Pennsylvanians
to support the American Red Cross' disaster relief fund, which will help
people impacted by this storm.
The Governor mobilized the PA Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
unit, which is scheduled to leave Saturday morning to report to a staging area
in Georgia or Alabama. Members will conduct training and drills while waiting
to begin operations in the affected areas when local, state and federal
authorities begin damage assessments. PA Task Force 1 is a highly trained
unit that responds to the collapse of large structures and other hazardous
rescue missions.
The Department of Health, through coordination by the Bureau of Emergency
Medical Services, will be deploying 60 ambulances and six support vehicles to
Louisiana to help in the evacuation of individuals as a result of Hurricane
Gustav. The ambulances will be staffed by Pennsylvania Strike Teams, which
are emergency medical service providers ready to respond to an emergency
immediately, but do not deplete current, Pennsylvania EMS resources. Teams
will be evacuating individuals in nursing homes, hospitals, senior apartment
complexes or other individuals who require an ambulance for transport.
In addition, the National Guard will send a CH-47 helicopter and crew to
Louisiana to provide logistical support.
Additional flood safety information and weather updates can be found on
the PEMA Web site at http://www.pema.state.pa.us.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT: Maria A. Finn, PEMA
717-651-2009
Holli Senior, Health
717-787-1783
Joan Nissley, DMVA
717- 861.8720
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