2005 News

September 1, 2005
Bucks County Supporting Disaster Relief Efforts

The Bucks County Commissioners, like all residents of the county, have been shocked by the horrifying events of the past week. The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina are a tragic reminder that disaster can happen at anytime, anywhere. The Commissioners are aware many citizens of the county are eager to help the victims, and suggest the county coordinates its efforts by donating to the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross is asking for monetary donations only, at this time. A donation to the Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide food, shelter, housing and other assistance to the many thousands of victims from Hurricane Katrina.

Please go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW to make a donation. Every little bit counts!

Bucks County has already begun supporting the disaster relief effort by sending members of the Southeastern Regional Task Force down to the hurricane ravaged areas of Louisiana and Mississippi. There are 25 volunteers from Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties currently down in the Gulf Region as part of the PA Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue unit and there are currently 20 doctors and nurses from the medical team on standby. Also on standby are employees from Mental Health/Mental Retardation, a division of the county's Human Services, and staff from NOVA, to assist in counseling of the victims.

Some members of the county's Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) have volunteered to mobilize into the Gulf Region and are waiting for orders. Also, the county has already had its first two cases of military activation. The commissioners are whole-heartedly supporting the reactivation of reservists and National Guard members to assist in the Hurricane Katrina cleanup and are confident that the departments affected will adjust to the temporary staffing shortages.

The Commissioners are asking that any doctors, nurses and other health officials, or any county resident that would like to donate time, equipment and/or supplies, contact the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency at 215-340-8700. Residents are urged to not just drive down own their own. Volunteers need to be coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and supplies need to be shipped to a central place for dispersement.

Another important role in easing the burden Katrina has caused is to conserve fuel and maximize fuel efficiency. Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection suggests the following:

• Avoid quick stops and starts!
• Don't be an aggressive driver; it lowers gas mileage by 33%.
• Avoid excess idling.
• Combine errands to reduce vehicle miles traveled!
• Take unnecessary weight out of trunks or back seats.
• Carpool or take public transportation whenever possible.
• Check your gas cap--loose, damaged and missing caps allow gasoline to vaporize.
• Check your tire pressure as driving with under inflated tires can cost a mile or two per gallon.
• Replace worn spark plugs; a dirty sparkplug causes misfires, wasting fuel!
• Replace dirty air filters that waste gas and cause engines to lose power.

The overwhelming effects of Hurricane Katrina will last long after the flood waters have gone down. The County of Bucks is committed to helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina today, tomorrow, and long into the future.