Once transportation plans are finalized, at least seven local residents will be on their way to help with sheltering supervision, mental health support and any other recovery needs on the ravaged island of American Samoa.

“I heard this morning that anything that wasn’t concrete is gone,” said Ken Warkentin, a seasoned disaster volunteer who secured a flight this morning to Hawaii and on to Pago Pago, the capital of the island territory.

Warkentin has seen his share of destruction, first deploying to aid survivors following Hurricane Katrina and participating in multiple disaster relief efforts since, including those involving recent local wildfires. The Solvang resident expects to be working 13-hour days for roughly three weeks.

“There are three things you need to do when you get there: take care of the client, take care of the client, take care of the client,” Warkentin said.

For now, volunteers are sifting through pages of background information on American Samoa, ranging from warnings about the shark-infested waters to tips on what to wear to avoid offending any island locals.

Samantha Ezell, emergency services specialist for the local Red Cross chapter, warned the group of volunteers that they might not have running water or power, and will have limited medical care while on the island.

“It’s going to be hot,” she added. “It’s going to be very, very, very humid.”

She handed out a list of commonly used Samoan words and a full page of cultural courtesies practiced by island residents, in addition to warning the women volunteers that they must dress modestly due to the religious nature of the society.

Despite the long shifts of relief work ahead, several volunteers said they wouldn’t have joined the Red Cross if they didn’t want to deploy to aid disaster victims.

“I want to help people,” said Karyn Boenker, who will be heading out on her first deployment. “I’ve really wanted to get out of the office and into the field.”

As organizers work on transportation plans — there are only two flights from Hawaii to the tiny chain of islands each week — Boenker said she has been monitoring news and online reports about the tsunami.

“It’s not looking very good,” she said.

Triggered by an 8.0-magnitude quake in the Pacific Ocean, a series of massive waves up to 20 feet high hit the island territory on Tuesday. News reports have placed the death toll at more than 100 people, and video footage of the aftermath has shown flattened villages, flipped cars and beached fishing boats.

When asked what prompted him to join the Red Cross as a volunteer, knowing he would be sent to the scene of major disasters such as this tsunami, Warkentin drew comparisons to a firefighter entering a burning building.

“Some might call us fools,” he said. “Others will say we are brave. No, we’re trained and we are really just doing our job.”

Along with Boenker and Warkentin, the other five volunteers deploying from Santa Barbara are Lani Gilbert, Robin Houde, David Ross, Erick Sklar and Blanche Tobin.

Another local relief organization, Direct Relief International, has also offered its medical assistance in response to the tsunami, contacting government and relief organizations to determine the most-needed medical supplies and aid. A Direct Relief spokesman said the agency remains in standby mode and is prepared to dispatch aid as soon as needs are identified.