The IAFF represents 47 affiliates and more than 5,400 professional fire fighters and paramedics in the Gulf Coast states impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The IAFF has established a command response headquarters in Baton Rouge, and continues to mobilize resources and support capabilities to assist members and their families devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
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9/14/05: FEMA Reps
From: Dan Crow
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 12:40 PM
Subject: Firefighters as FEMA Reps
I just talked to one of my guys in Louisiana. His group is in Slidell, about 75 miles out of Baton Rogue. They are going house to house in teams and trying to make contact. When they first started very few people would keep their doors open after seeing the FEMA shirts. The FEMA shirts are a heavy dark blue polo shirt.
They asked the FEMA rep in their camp if they could wear their lighter weight fire department T-shirts in place. He agreed, as long as they had their FEMA ball caps on and FEMA ID tags. With that change, their reception has changed 180 degrees. They said they are introducing themselves as "California fire fighters and that they are here helping FEMA help them." The people they are approaching after the change in shirts are much more receptive and willing to listen.
The fire fighter image is helping us help them it sounds.
Dan Crow
California Professional Firefighters
1st District Vice President
9/13/05: Katrina Update
From: Command Center
Sent: Tuesday, 9/13/05
Subject: IAFF Katrina Relief Command Center
Today we continued to process members through our command center providing food, clothing (thanks to Baltimore City Local for the Ladder 49 shirts and caps), medical care, counseling, financial aid, housing information and sleeping arrangements if needed.
Brother Pete Reagan (Arkansas) left today and Tim Dupin (Kansas City, MO Local 42) took his place running the finance office. Brother Steve Norris (Los Angeles City, CA Local 112) assisted in the finance office. Today they provided financial help to 107 members. We have now helped 1268 members from this office with direct financial aid totaling $634,000.
Our housing repair/ tree removal operation is moving forward under the direction of Walt Dix (Broward County, FL Local 4321). Walt is leaving tomorrow and this section will now be under the direction Kevin Kincaid and Danny Gray (Fairfax County, VA Local 2068).
Today a group of Baton Rouge Local 557 members headed by Ron Wilson moved 10 truckloads of donated plywood into our warehouse in Mandeville, Louisiana. This warehouse is located at the St. Tammany Fire District 4 Training Center located just north of Interstate 12 off Hwy. 59
