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Phila. and Pa. send aid south

Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are going to the aid of the Gulf Coast in anticipation of an assault by Hurricane Gustav early in the week.

Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are going to the aid of the Gulf Coast in anticipation of an assault by Hurricane Gustav early in the week.

The city sent 23 emergency workers to the region Friday, Mayor Nutter and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.

The 10 paramedics, 10 firefighters, one battalion chief, and two mechanics will visit New Orleans and many other towns across Louisiana, Ayers said.

Gov. Rendell said ambulances, emergency responders and more were being sent to the area, which Gustav was projected to strike by Tuesday.

Rendell also encouraged Pennsylvanians to support the American Red Cross' disaster relief fund, which will help the storm's victims.

An urban search-and-rescue unit was scheduled to leave yesterday to report to a staging area in Georgia or Alabama. The unit is trained to respond to hazardous rescue missions, such as a building collapse.

Also, 60 Pennsylvania Department of Health ambulances and six support vehicles will go to Louisiana to help evacuate nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities.

In addition, the National Guard will send a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and crew to Louisiana.