FARGO, N.D. — A paramedic with F-M Ambulance in North Dakota is collecting donations to help EMS workers affected by massive floods in Baton Rouge, La.
Laura Barone, who worked as a paramedic in Baton Rouge from 2009 to 2012, sent an email Wednesday urging her coworkers to donate basic necessities to the disaster zone.
“Our brothers and sisters in the 9-1-1 family have been working tirelessly during this event, through many of them have also lost everything,” Barone wrote in her email. “I am taking up a general collection of basic necessities, including toiletries, feminine hygiene products, clothing, pet food and supplies, diapers, cleaning supplies, and Target and Walmart gift cards to give to the people affected in Louisiana. Many of my friends who work for East Baton Rouge EMS have asked for help for their own. They are asking for similar basic necessities, but many of them have also lost their EMS boots, uniforms, and other work items including undershirts and socks.”
Over 40,000 homes in the area suffered water damage, and badly-hit areas such as Livingston Parish were described as “a total loss.”
To date, 13 people have died in the floods.
“If you are interested in donating something,” reads a post on F-M Ambulance’s Facebook page, “Please contact Lana or drop off your donations at our main station, 2215 18th Street South in Fargo (directly across from Doolittle’s) by Monday.”