70-Year-Old Red Cross Volunteer on His Way to Help Hurricane Isaac Relief Efforts

Stephen Buschel may have felt a lot of things prior to his departure to Port Allen, LA, but apprehension wasn’t one of them.

Buschel, a 70-year-old Armonk resident and volunteer with the American Red Cross Greater New York Region, is one of more than 2,000 emergency workers who are being deployed to the Gulf Coast for .

Buschel, who is trained as an emergency response vehicle operator and disaster assessment worker, left Tuesday morning and is expected to arrive on Thursday.

“It is a great opportunity,” Buschel said. “I’ve been working with the emergency response vehicle for a long time and it’s a chance for me to put what I’ve learned to use. I think it’s going to be interesting.”

Buschel’s role will be to help provide food and supplies to residents impacted by the storm.

More than are in the region, opening evacuation shelters and providing relief supplies for those affected by Isaac in several states along the Gulf.

At least 52 shelters have been opened in five states and nearly 190 emergency response vehicles from across the country to help.

Buschel, a retired tax partner at BDO Seidman, LLP, said he got involved with about four years ago through his wife, Carol, who has volunteered with the organization for several years.

Although Buschel plans to be away for two weeks, he said his family is OK with the idea and they have given him their support. Buschel is also unfazed about the idea of driving 1,400 miles.

“I have a partner and I’m the type of person who loves being behind the wheel,” Buschel. “I love driving.”

Buschel is among three Weschester County residents who have been deployed to help with this emergency, including  of New Rochelle and  of White Plains.

The Red Cross has a free smartphone app that can keep you apprised of natural disasters. One feature is the one-touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way. For more information,click here.