OC Disaster Preparedness, Military Units Extend Help

In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that hit the San Francisco Bay Area Tuesday, Orange County’s disaster preparedness agencies and the military mobilized today to provide relief to the shattered Northern California communities.

Among the first to go was the California Army National Guard’s 143rd Combat Support Hospital based in Los Alamitos. At least 11 doctors, nurses and medics, along with tents, tables and beds, were loaded onto a C-130 transport Tuesday night bound for Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento, where the unit will await further assignment. This morning, helicopters and crews from the 140th Aviation Battalion at Los Alamitos also was sent to provide medical evacuation services for the hospital unit set up at Travis Air Force Base.

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 callers swamped 38 telephone lines at the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Santa Ana, which is seeking donations, and local utilities and fire departments have volunteered repair and emergency crews. Red Cross spokeswoman Sylvia Stewart said 25 lines are being installed to accommodate callers from throughout Southern California.

This morning, at least 100 volunteers also arrived at Red Cross offices offering to give blood or help in the relief effort. Stewart said 290 pints of blood were sent by the Orange County chapter to the Bay Area.

Stewart said the Red Cross is suggesting that local residents wanting to help in the relief effort donate money to the national organization’s disaster fund, which was depleted by Hurricane Hugo in September.

Donations can be sent to the American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter, 601 N. Golden Circle Dr., Santa Ana, Calif., 92711. Contributors should mark “earthquake” on donation checks. Food and blankets also will be accepted, Stewart said.

Also on standby is Orange County Fire Department’s heavy rescue team, a group of trained rescue workers and fire engines. It is awaiting word from the state Office of Emergency Services.

Deputy Fire Chief Ken MacLeod said the department’s four-man rescue squad was dispatched to Mexico City several years ago during that city’s major earthquake to aid in finding survivors amid the wreckage.

Officials of Southern California Edison Co. in Orange County contacted communities in the Bay Area and offered to provide materials, repair crews and engineering assistance to help restore power.