Individuals and companies interested in participating in relief efforts and sharing information with their employers should log on to www.aaohn.org/member_services/hurricane_relief.cfm to learn about sanctioned relief efforts and  the recommended methods for donating money and resources, reporting missing loved ones, or volunteering.

1. Make cash contributions to the American Red Cross or other agencies that are providing direct humanitarian aid to victims.  The best way to help is by making an online contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund at http://www.redcross.org.
2. If you have special disaster training, consider volunteering to help provide care to victims, especially in those areas providing comfort to victims (Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, etc.). For the moment, FEMA has stated that volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency.
3. Offer counseling to employees who may have family members living in the area. 
4. Assist employees who are trying to communicate with or locate family members who may have been displaced.
5. Share resources with employees about hurricane recovery…everything from protecting health and safety, preventing injury and illness, safe clean up, etc.
6. Refer to the hurricane relief resources on AAOHN’s Web site at http://www.aaohn.org/member_services/hurricane_relief.cfm.

AAOHN encourages its members to comply with the advice issued by disaster officials – and to refrain from contacting local fire and police agencies actively engaged in responding to local emergencies.  AAOHN members interested in volunteering for the American Red Cross should first contact their local Red Cross chapter.  Visitors to www.aaohn.org/member_services/hurricane_relief.cfm can access Hurricane Katrina disaster relief information, as well as contact information for relevant federal and state government agencies, via the following Web sites and phone numbers:

• American Red Cross:  http://www.redcross.org or 1-800-229-819, 1-866-GET-INFO, 1-800-HELP-NOW, or 1-866-438-4636
• National Next of Kin Registry:  http://www.nokr.org
• National Hurricane Center:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
• National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov
• Hydrologic Information Center (river flooding):  http://www.nws.noaa.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):http://www.fema.gov
• Salvation Army:  http://www.salvationarmyusa.org or 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: http://www.nvoad.org
• Episcopal Relief & Development: http://www.er-d.org or 1-800-334-7626
• United Methodist Committee on Relief:http://gbgm-umc.org/umcoro or 1-800-554-8583
• Catholic Charities: http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.orgor 1-800-919-9338
• FEMA Charity tips: http://www.fema.gov

• Alabama Emergency Management Agency:  http://www.disaster.ema.alabama.gov or (205) 280-2200
• Alabama Homeland Security:  http://www.homelandsecurity.alabama.gov

• Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness:  http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov or (225) 925-7400

• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency or (601) 352-9100; 24-hour emergency line, 1-800-222-MEMA or 1-800-222-6362
• Mississippi Homeland Security:  http://www.homelandsecurity.ms.gov

• Florida Division of Emergency Management:  http://www.floridadisaster.org or 1-800-342-3557

FEMA recommends that evacuees monitor local news coverage wherever they are located for ongoing response and recovery information. Evacuees and other concerned persons can call the American Red Cross’ information line at 1-866-GET-INFO for information regarding emergency assistance, public safety information and road closures. In addition, Louisiana residents can call the Louisiana State Police at 1-800-469-4828 for updates on roadways that are open and safe for travel in less impacted areas.  According to FEMA, volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed to do so by a relief agency due to the severity of conditions and the potential to hamper rescue efforts.