A Safe City is a Strong City
New Orleans, La.
June 30, 2009
For immediate release
Starting July 1, 2009 evacuteer.org will begin its formal training program for evacuteers committed to volunteering with the New Orleans City Assisted Evacuation Plan. The trainings will be conducted by a combination of instructors from the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross, City of New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness and evacuteer.org leadership.
“The partnership between the American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter (SELA) and evacuteer.org is truly aligned with the values we want instilled in our evacuteers,” said Guillermo Olivos, Director of Development for evacuteer.org. “As important as it is that we provide the manpower to assist with city evacuations, doing it in a humane and empathic manner will make our presence that much more meaningful.”
Discussions between the two organizations led to the recognition that evacuteers will need to be able to spot the signs of disaster-related stress in evacuees and be able to act appropriately via the Red Cross’ certified class on Psychological First Aid. The training also includes providing immediate support and instruction on evacuteer roles in the event of City Assisted Evacutation Plan (CAEP) activation.
”The Red Cross is proud to partner with the City of New Orleans and evacuteer.org to make these trainings a success and a vital part of preparedness. Having a trained work force to respond to disasters is the best way that we can provide a positive experience for the evaucteers as well as the citizens who will be utilizing the CAEP,” said Bill Salmeron, Director of Emergency Services for the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Trainings will begin on Saturday July 11th at the headquarters of the Southeast Louisiana Chapter in the Robert W. Merrick Building, 2640 Canal Street.