Shortly after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the coast, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, and National Emergency Numbers Association, joined forces together to set up a Disaster Relief Fund for the telecommunicator that were affected by the storm. On Tuesday October 25, 2005 George Cricenti, Patsy Boyd, and Donna McKenzie from the NENA Organization along with Brenda Gowdy, Steve Caygle, and Tanya Mayo from the APCO-MS Chapter, went to Harrison, Jackson and Hancock County. Also Marion County EMA Director Charlie Conley came along to provide transportation so everyone could be together.

Various donations came from several different organizations such as Intrado, APCO, NENA, 911 Coordinators, and several of our state chapters, and the money was divided equally among the dispatchers affected by the hurricane in the three coastal counties. We were able to get 133 Wal-Mart gift cards to the dispatchers for a total of 175.00 each.
While we visited the three coastal counties several of the dispatchers that knew we were coming came to say hello and thank you for our hard work to raise money for them in their time of need. Everyone was so appreciative and several hugs and tears were exchanged. It was a very heart felt and moving moment for everyone to hear and see all the destruction that the hurricane had caused. The media could never do it justice you would just have to see for yourself.