Reply #150: Sept 2: Loudoun deputies can't reach FEMA, Louisiana officials

[mom cat]

http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/Web/2005/092005/0902deputies
Loudoun deputies can't reach FEMA, Louisiana officials

Loudoun County deputies headed for Louisiana told to turn around


Date published: 9/2/2005


LEESBURG, Va. (AP) - A group of Loudoun County sheriff's deputies heading to Louisiana to help maintain order among hurricane refugees had to turn around at the Virginia border when they couldn't get confirmation from emergency management officials, the Loudoun County sheriff said.

After attempting for 12 hours to reach officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Louisiana Emergency Operations Center, the deputies were told to head home. The group of 22 officers and six emergency medical technicians was expected to arrive back in Leesburg by 2 a.m. Friday, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

"How many people have to die in the interim while they try to make this happen?" Sheriff Stephen O. Simpson told WRC-TV.

edited to add date