Pocono News Section

Local EMTs Heading South Ahead of Gustav

Local EMTs Heading South Ahead of Gustav - Friday, August 29, 2008 at 9:47PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Friday, Aug 29, 2008 @ 09:47pm EST
PITTSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- Hurricane Gustav is roaring a path through the Caribbean. It's projected to strike along the Louisiana coast at the end of the holiday weekend. The million-dollar question is will Gustav be a repeat of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed New Orleans 3 years ago Friday (8/29).

Ahead of a holiday weekend, Louisiana state officials requested crews from Northeastern Pennsylvania.

They're making the trek south. Advanced Life Support personnel met up in Pittston Township around 6:00 Friday evening. They're now well on their way to Alexandria, Louisiana.

That's where they'll provide assistance on a number of levels. Hanover Township EMT Travis Temarantz said, “We really won't know what our assignment is until we get there, but you know, we're under the assumption that it's going to be evacuating nursing homes, senior centers, stuff like that.”

Rich Zegrin of EMS, NEPA said, “When the storm hits, we'll still be down there and then it'll be emergency runs.”

The EMTs from our area were scheduled to meet up with other folks from Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. Their trip will last 10 days. Of course that depends on Gustav's plans.