The Stories of 2005

Firehouse.Com News gave site visitors thousands of stories in its comprehensive coverage of the fire service in 2005. From hurricane devastation to the still haunting legacy of the World Trade Center attacks to the continued mourning of fire service personnel killed in the line of duty, the ever growing readership on Firehouse.com had plenty to consider professionally.

In a story that lives on, more readers than for any other incident story, read about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that hit Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Dozens of stories over several weeks told the how the limits of first responders were tested over and over again.

Firehouse.com close friend and New Orleans FD District Chief Chris Mickal provided immediate coverage as the department sheltered in place, then went out to do what they could in their flooded city.

Mickal was just one of many first responders who lost homes yet continued to work under tough conditions in the city. Montgomery County Maryland FD PIO Pete Piringer, Firehouse.com associate, and Firehouse.com Assistant Editor and photographer, Peter Matthews traveled to New Orleans for first hand accounts of the situation. The coverage and stories of the plight of first responders in the area will continue for a long time.