In anticipation of Hurricane Gustav impacting the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles deployed volunteers and staff members from numerous areas of Los Angeles to assist with the relief efforts.
Nancy Carillo, a member of the Los Angeles chapter’s Emergency Response department on her second deployment as a disaster worker, sent back images from a shelter where she was providing assistance in the Public Affairs role.
“FEMA in collaboration with the American Red Cross, opened a shelter at Hirsch Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana specifically for people with critical transportation needs who also owned pets. Most of the evacuees were from New Orleans and thus, Katrina survivors. At the highest point there were a bit under 1,200 evacuees. In addition, the pet shelter established next door became a temporary home to almost 1,000 pets. This assignment was a tremendous challenge but very rewarding. The lessons I learned will remain with me always”
Tags: deployment pictures, disaster assistance, Hurricane Gustav, shelters
