New Orleans FD Prepares for Hurricane Katrina
Are you wondering what the New Orleans FD is doing as it faces Hurricane Katrina? Here is an article from Firehouse.com that sheds some light:
The New Orleans Fire Department is preparing for a worst case, doomsday scenario that could produce significant damage and injuries, but vastly limit the agency's ability to respond in the hours leading up to and perhaps days after Hurricane Katrina makes landfall early Monday.As winds hit 45 miles per hour sometime before Midnight Sunday, the city's fire and EMS personnel will not be responding to emergencies.
"Our primary concern this point is the safety of our personnel and equipment," Charlene Barthe, Public Affairs Coordinator for the New Orleans Fire Department, told Firehouse.com late Sunday.
It could be hours -- or longer -- before responders may be able to roll once again.
"It could be well longer than after [Katrina] passes, depending on what happens as the waters rise," Barthe said. "If it rises [to the streets] we won't be able to get out to respond [until it subsides]."
...
Fire Department personnel have been assisting with evacuations and operations at the Superdome -- the NFL stadium where over 12,000 citizens unable to evacuate the city are seeking shelter.
...
Approximately 200 members of the department were on duty Sunday, one of three platoons in the city. Personnel assigned to Monday's platoon were expected to report to work on time.
...
The New Orleans Fire Department has 33 stations with 759 personnel.
I would think trying to prepare for emergencies during a hurricane would be very difficult. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people and firefighters of New Orleans.
