by KYW's John McDevitt

More than 3,000 American Red Cross volunteers from across the nation are pre-positioning in four states as tropical storm Gustav threatens the gulf region. Some volunteers are from the Philadelphia area.

Four volunteers from this area have deployed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and two to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

If gustav hits land more could follow, according to Tom Foley the CEO of the American Red Cross southeastern Pennsylvania chapter  

"They took one of our emergency response vehicles, we call it an ERV, which is a feeding  vehicle that is one of 200 being re-positioned down there along with 3,100 volunteers and 99 of what we call a shelter support vehicles from all over the country."

In the event of an evacuation volunteers, will assist in mass care operations -feeding and sheltering those in need.