Mainers Head South to Volunteer in Louisiana Following Hurricane

This story reminds me so much of when my own mother, an RN, headed to New Orleans in 2005 after being called on by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). My mom spent weeks triaging patients in a parking garage after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the area.

According to WMTW, Maine volunteers have loaded up an American Red Cross ERV and have headed south. An ERV or, Emergency Response Vehicle, is a vehicle operated by the American Red Cross that is designed to deploy to areas hit by disasters. The Red Cross has over 200 of there ERVs stationed throughout the country ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Jim Larson is a Maine volunteer who has helped to load the New England ERV and has headed to Louisiana. Jim made stops along the way, including in New Hampshire, to pick up other Red Cross volunteers.

Larson said, "I've had careers before this, and this gives me the opportunity to continue with my life skills that I've learned and be able to help other people that need that help."

If you're looking to help out with the disaster relief efforts surrounding hurricane Ida, donations can be made directly to the cause by clicking on this Red Cross link.

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