Gerard Braud, a communications consultant who has years of experience in broadcast journalism, is looking for help. A New Orleans resident, Braud evacuated before Hurricane Katrina hit. Now, rather than focus on his own situation, he wants to put his skills to use getting information to those in the hurricane-ravaged area who have no access to any communication channels at all.

Braud posted his appeal on the IABC Chair’s blog. In a nutshell, he’s looking for anyone with the clout to get him into areas of New Orleans off-limits to anybody but official personnel:

“I have a broadcast camera and computer editing in my car. If I can get in, I can drive back out to places with power to get this information out to citizens who need it. ONE MILLION people are trying to get official information and there is NO SOURCE FOR IT. One Million people will be HOMELESS for week and don???t know it yet. I have the tools and the know how. I just need a way in.”

If you can help, I would urge you to read Gerard’s full post. Since contributing it, he has obtained a temporary email address (his regular ISP is under water): .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You can also text-message him at 504-908-8188.

In the meantime, the IABC Chair’s Blog has been the place to find out about other New Orelans-based IABC members, as well as the Executive Committee, which was meeting in New Orleans when Katrina became a threat. There’s no word on several members, though, including John Deveney, and no mention of any of this on IABC’s home page (not even in the “News” section), which is where most members would look.

UPDATE: IABC has added a link to its blog on the home page, directing readers there for information about IABC’s members in New Orleans.

Thanks to Tom Keefe for spearheading the effort to get Gerard’s word out. (I got an email from Tom while I was at Midway Airport waiting for a flight home from Chicago.)

UPDATE:Jennifer Wah submitted the following comment on the IABC Cafe after I posted this item”

I had a note from John Deveney this morning (11:15 a.m. PST) that he is safe, along with his team at Deveney Communications, who all evacuated. John has headed through Mississippi and Alabama toward Florida, where he plans to “set up shop” for awhile. I’ve asked him to post here when he has a chance. He wrote: “The outpouring of concern, prayers and offers of support have been inspiring. My thoughts are with all of you…”