State Agency Advises Against Disaster Self-Deployment

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is asking Hoosier public safety agencies not to self-deploy people or assets to the Hurricane Katrina disaster area. The state agency says it's relaying that request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The federal agency is requesting all police, fire, EMS and other emregency response agencies in Indiana to offer their support through IDHS and not to depart without the state agency's coordination. In addition, the IDHS warns individuals not to travel to the disaster area unless they are sent by a disaster relief organization such as the Red Cross. Fore more information, visit the IDHS web site.