Disaster coordinator goes to Alabama
By John Zornow  

With Hurricane Dennis still in the news, Red Cross and other disaster officials are making help available to people in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. 158 shelters have been set up for approximately 14,000 people.

Dwight 'Woody' Seufert of Newark, Disaster Coordinator for the Wayne County Chapter American Red Cross, has been assigned to the Alabama area to supervise mass care mobile feeding units.

Woody Seufert and Jim Love stand in front of the new mobile command center, near Red Cross headquarters in Newark.

Seufert left for a three-week assignment, where he will receive orientation regarding his assignment in Alabama. Seufert is a former Buffalo area police officer, who got involved is disaster work after he retired. He is married to the Rev. Carmen R. Seufert, Pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Newark.

Jim Love, Executive Director of the Wayne County Chapter, said that when these disasters occur, Red Cross is in the news reminding every citizen, no matter where they live, to be prepared and have an evacuation plan.

Yesterday, NY Gov. George Pataki dispatched specially trained State and local employees who are specialists in managing the various aspects of response and recovery, including command, operations, planning and logistics. New York State is a member of the national Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which establishes a mutual partnership with other states to provide aid and assistance in times of emergency.

Pataki urged other New Yorkers to join in the Hurricane Dennis recovery effort. Anyone who wants to assist victims of this hurricane may make a financial donation to the American Red Cross by calling 800.HELPNOW or visiting www.redcross.org

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