UPDATE - DO NOT SELF DEPLOY (FREELANCE) TO LOUISIANA

From LA State Government

We are experiencing an increasing number of fire, rescue and police units self-deploying themselves to assist here in Louisiana, creating additional logistical problems.

We ask that you send out a directive via your established communications links to fire, rescue and police units that they follow the prescribed FEMA and EMAC procedure when offering aid. If they wish to help, they should make that known to their state EOC so that we can more effectively utilize their generous offers of assistance.

The enormity of the logistics equals the destruction that you have seen in the news. The task before us is great, and there will be ample opportunity to assist brother and sister first responders in Louisiana during their time of need.

But that assistance should and must be coordinated through each state’s Emergency Operations Center.

Katrina Aftermath Site

Andy Carvin & over a 100 Citizen Journalists have a site up called

Katrina Aftermath : A Public Gallery of Thoughts, Images and Sounds in Response to Hurricane Katrina

Another information, views, and pictures site on the aftermath.

HHS coordinating volunteer Physicians, RN's, EMS, etc.

To coordinate the medical assistance offered by physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services is now managing this national medical relief effort.

Physicians and other medical professionals with any state license who can commit to short-term, long-term or rotating coverage are urgently needed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas.

HHS has contracted with JCNationwide for this effort. Please call 800-272-2707 or 1-866-KAT-MEDI if you can be of assistance.

Visit the AMA Web site at http://www.ama-assn.org/ for updates on how you can get involved.

That office is only handling physicians, NP's and PA's.EMS are asked to call their satellite Seattle office at 206-652-1573