# I may be heading South to assist **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 1, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616 "2005-09-01T19:10:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/21 "2005-09-02T19:12:26Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > We’re trying to get one of us down there, too. Our local Fire Chief is taking a head count of CERT volunteers, on behalf of FEMA’s resource identification request to him, who can commit to a minimum of 2 weeks of assistance in the hurricane area. Odds are that my boss won’t approve that long an absence for me, but my husband’s employer _might_. So if he can get them to agree to let him work via remote when time allows (if that’s even possible, depending on where they put volunteers up) and guarantee he’ll still have his job when he gets back, we’ve agreed that he’ll be going. Update: Paramount has approved a 2 week paid leave for Thomas to assist in the relief efforts if he’s called up, so he just notified the Fire Chief to add his name to the list of available personnel in the event FEMA follows through and mobilizes our local CERT. I’m so proud of him. ---
**Author:** ![CBCD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@CBCD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBCD)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/22 "2005-09-02T19:57:00Z")
My church has agreed to house families for a number of months. We’re working through [Family Promise](http://www.nihn.org/news/news_news.html), the parent organization to Interfaith Hospitality Network. We’re also working through the Diocese of Mississippi to send a group of people down in a few weeks. There will be more than enough for all of us to do in the months, not just days to come. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/23 "2005-09-02T21:07:55Z")
> [@CBCD](#): > > Is the Red Cross only taking volunteers who have had their training? Or can someone who is willing to move boxes for two-three weeks be deployed by the Red Cross? > > My husband decided last night to volunteer, somehow, somewhere. Any suggestions as to who might take him? (We’ve already given money.) The Red Cross will provide 2 days of training prior to deployment. Check your local chapter website. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/24 "2005-09-03T08:21:17Z")
Anyone needing to stop along I-55, need a hot shower or a sandwich e-mail me beforehand. Just let me know. We are off exit 105 in Jackson Miss. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/25 "2005-09-03T08:53:30Z")
I’d be happy to go, being a paramedic I feel I’d be useful, however my employer will not allow any of us to go and also continue to pay us. I’m buying a home, and planning a wedding, I cannot go without paychecks. My ambulance company is streched thin, so the company cannot afford to offically send any supplies, trucks, or personel. Just get to do our job here and watch the others do the helping. ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/26 "2005-09-03T16:25:27Z")
An udate- The Red Cross called and asked when I could go? I said whenever you want. They just have to check out my references and **perhaps** poof! Got my cat taken care of my boss is cool with it- sounds like within the week ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/27 "2005-09-13T21:36:57Z")
Another update- Finished trainging this weekend and got the call today to come in and get my deployment orders tomorrow for Louisiana [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616.md?page=1)