By Alan Sorensen
Montanas Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), scheduled to appear in the Havre Festival Days Parade last Saturday, responded to an out-of-state disaster, instead.
The ERV, housed with Helenas chapter of the American Red Cross, has numerous disaster-preparedness features, according to Vicke Larson, Bears Paw Chapter chairwoman. Larson said the ERV would have been set up for public viewing after the parade.
Volunteers of the Bears Paw Chapter of the American Red Cross were gathered Friday for the second portion of their three-day disaster training. The ERV driver, who is qualified to teach many disaster courses, was expected to do training with the Hi-Line volunteers, too.
What a great opportunity it would be to have this community see the vehicle close up and examine its features, Larson said.
The volunteers received word at about 3 p.m. Friday that the ERV had been called back to Helena. By 10 that night, it was on its way to North Carolina to help victims of Hurricane Floyd.
So, as much as we missed entering the ERV in the Festival Days Parade, we can all be thankful the vehicle left our fair city rather than coming, Larson said. Our thoughts are with the victims of the flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd, and (were) thankful the Red Cross is there to help.
