Firefighters from around the country have answered the call to assist stations ravaged by recent hurricanes.

There are ambulances, engines, tankers, ladder trucks, turnout gear and firefighting equipment available. But, facilitating a match between a needy company and donations hasn't been easy.

Yet, officials involved with the many programs aimed at helping Gulf Coast responders, from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to Firehouse's own Adopt a Firehouse program, say they're not giving up. They've learned it's a slow process.

Michael Miller is one of the middle men. Armed with a database of items available, he's been attempting to link the fire companies with the donors.

"I've met a lot of nice people doing this," he said, adding that he was amazed at the willingness of the departments to donate.

The Montgomery County, Maryland firefighter has been detailed to help administer the project at Firehouse.com while on light duty. He said he's enjoyed doing what he can.

Organizations involved in the program to help coordinate matches in addition to the NVFC include the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

The Township of Spring, Pa. has two pumpers to donate, and has been waiting to hear where to send them. A firefighter said they notified FEMA more than a month ago that the equipment was available.

While there also has been good response to FEMA's "Fire Aid" program, the call center no longer being staffed 24/7. After the number of calls dwindled, officials backed it up to 10 hours daily. Now it's available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The line is Ken Kuntz's office, and while he has a long list of donations, he has not received any information about departments in need.

"We've had offers of everything from aerial equipment to Scott packs to 20 rolls of fire scene tape," he said. "Now, we have to find people who need it."

In some parts of Louisiana, firefighters are just now getting back to assess damages in their stations. "They wouldn't let anyone in until this week. So, we don't know the extent of destruction, said Aubrey Boudreaux, of the Louisiana State Firemen's Association.

"In some areas, the storm surges caused extensive damage. We just don't know what the losses are yet," he said. "It may take another week..."

Officials believe there may be several reasons for the slow movement of the match program.

One theory is that departments may be worried that accepting donated equipment and apparatus may penalize them from getting federal assistance in the future. But, what they may not understand is that they're not going to get a new fire engine to replace one that was 10 years old. Federal law only authorizes funds to restore services to their existing conditions.

Mr. Boudreaux said some firefighters haven't had time to assess the damages. "We're talking about people who've been left homeless. They have other priorities...

The executive director of the National Volunteer Fire Council shares that belief. "Folks are just getting their lives together. It's too early to tell...We've had a lot of donations," said Heather Schafer.

While they have matched some donors with needy departments, others have made their own connections. "I know that's the case in several places in Mississippi," she said.

The NVFC also has contacts in the Gulf States to verify the need, once a company has asked for assistance. "We're being very careful that the equipment reaches the right person or company," Ms. Schafer said, adding that there have been instances where vehicles have just shown up.

Donations to funds established to assist firefighters and fire departments continue to come in, said Alicia Hawkins, NVFC director of administration.

"We received a $5,000 donation Wednesday from the Federation of Japanese Firefighters," she said, adding that contributors have been generous.

To date, the NVFC has issued $250 checks to 471 volunteer firefighters, whose lives have been disrupted by the hurricanes. State representatives qualify the individuals for donations.

Money also is being collected to help re-build volunteer fire stations. However, funds have not been distributed yet. "We're waiting to determine the need," she said. "We have to wait until they see what they'll get from FEMA or insurance companies."

Bill Bulman, NVFC's Alabama representative, said he's been working to get items that will enable volunteers in Bayou La Batre to get back into service.

So far, he's been able to find a surplus fire truck. But, he's still looking for a tanker and a boat to replace ones wiped out by Katrina. The small shrimping community along the Gulf is struggling to survive, Mr. Bulman said.

"It's essential we get them a fire boat," he said. "They often get calls for fires out in the bayou where they have to pump straight out of the boat."

In addition to helping that department, he said firefighters in the stricken areas appreciate the monetary donations coming through the NVFC. "It may not seem like much to some, but it may help them get essentials down here."

LIABILITY WAIVER LEGISLATION

The NFVC is working with Congress to pass legislation to protect fire departments that donate equipment, said David Finger, director of government relations.

"The fear of litigation has forced heavy industry and wealthier fire departments to waste surplus equipment which in many cases has years of potential use remaining," Mr. Finger said.

Everything from turnout gear to hoses, fire apparatus and breathing equipment worth millions is destroyed annually because of lawsuit fear.

If passed, the donating company would not be held liable for personal injuries or damage caused by a defect in the equipment. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year, but Congress adjourned before it moved through the Senate.

Mr. Finger said he is hopeful that it will get a nod before Congress recesses again.

DONATIONS APPRECIATED

The fire chief of St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana said his departments appreciate everything that's coming their way. That includes a donation from a sewing club from California who sent $750.

"We're going to use the money to buy drywall, and we're going to write their names on it," Chief Larry Hess said. "Folks have just been super."

More than 40 percent of the personnel who staffed seven fire stations in the parish are homeless. He said firefighters from Georgia, Oregon and Maine also are taking turns running calls.

And, fire personnel from Illinois and Kentucky have started a drive to purchase toys and other gifts for Christmas.

While stations are being rebuilt, the chief said he still worries about the future. "About 40 percent of our tax base was washed into Lake Pontchartrain.

The Cottage City/Colmar Manor Volunteer Fire Company in Prince Georges County, Maryland has donated a 1978 Seagrave ladder truck to the West Hancock Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company in Mississippi.

The company had planned to sell the truck to help pay for its new KME, but decided instead to give it another volunteer department, one that lost everything to Katrina.

"You think things are bad until you see what happened after Katrina...Then, your own problems don't seem that significant," said Cottage City Chief Howard "Chip" Ewing Jr., adding that the truck headed to the Gulf was used at the Pentagon on 9-11.

West Hancock Fire Chief Kim Jones said he can't say enough about the generous offer. The company that handles about 75 square miles including 15 miles of interstate as well as an extensive woodland area lost its home and nearly all of its equipment.

Their new engine was spared because they moved it to a NASA facility nearby before Katrina. Another truck that initially came through the hurricane unscathed was damaged on the way back to Mississippi during an operation, the chief said. "We stopped to rescue people. We saved 174 people from roof tops. But, the engine was badly damaged. We don't know if it's salvageable.