IAFF Provides Hurricane Relief

September 18, 2008 -- As the Gulf Coast was hit first by Hurricane Gustav and followed by Hurricane Ike, the IAFF was on the ground, ready to provide immediate assistance to affected members. While Gustav certainly left his mark, it was Ike that left many fire fighter homes heavily- damaged, some beyond repair.

IAFF Disaster Relief Fund applications continue to be reviewed and processed, but the exact number of fire fighter families qualifying for checks is still undetermined.

“Even with the command center for Gustav closed and the one for Ike shutting down in the next few days, the IAFF will continue to provide assistance,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “I am calling on the help of the entire International union to ensure our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast receive the assistance necessary to recover and rebuild.”

Hurricane Ike came ashore in Galveston, Texas, as a Category 2 on September 13. The National Hurricane Center reported hurricane and tropical storm force winds extended more than 400 miles from the storm’s center.

IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee (right) surveys the damage and assesses member needs following Hurricane Ike.

Taking on the brunt of the storm were members of Galveston Local 571, Orange Local 1432, Port Arthur Local 397, Houston Local 341, Baytown Local 1173, La Marque Local 3282 and Texas City Local 1259.

The IAFF immediately established an IAFF operations/relief center in La Marque. “Even though they were experiencing their own challenges, La Marque Local 3282 President John Brasher and the members of his local really stepped up to the plate,” says IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee. “Anything they had available, they donated.”

IAFF assistance during Ike included shelter for displaced fire fighters, food and basic supplies. Additionally, the IAFF sent teams to affected fire fighter homes to remove debris, patch roofs and to make sure the homes were secure.

Based on early assessments, most members have experienced housing damage due to flooding. In addition, it is clear that many fire fighters will be temporarily or permanently displaced from their homes. Representatives from the International are working with those members to secure emergency and transitional housing from FEMA.

Hurricane Gustav, also a Category 2, made landfall about 72 miles southwest of New Orleans on September 1. As IAFF members in Louisiana were responding to emergency calls in their communities, IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd set up a command center at the Zoar Baptist Church – the same site used during Hurricane Katrina – in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“I am very proud of the disaster relief support system we have in the 14th district,” says District Vice President Todd. “As always, our members stepped up big time.”

Assisting Todd at the center were Professional Fire Fighters of Louisiana (PFFL) President Chad Major, several members of the Baton Rouge, LA Local 557 executive board, Memphis, TN Local 1784 President Perry Cathey and District Field Service Representatives (DFSR) Thomas Malone and Pete Reagan.

Providing supplies and other assistance were Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), New Orleans, LA Local 632 President Nick Felton and Louisiana affiliates: Lake Charles Local 561, Sulphur Local 3765, Lafayette Local 619, Eunice Local 1745, Bogalusa Local 687,

Despite experiencing periods of power loss, the IAFF missions included fire fighter home repairs and basic supply deliveries. Zoar Baptist Church also served as housing for 34 evacuated Houma, LA Local 1405 members.

“We couldn’t believe how well-equipped the command center was,” says Keith Ward, president of Local 1405. “My members are very thankful for the IAFF’s assistance. We were lucky because our homes sustained mainly mild to moderate shingle damage.”

Members significantly affected by these storms are in immediate need of financial assistance. The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund is a 501 (c)(3) Trust Fund. Tax deductible contributions can be sent to:

IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
1750 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 824-1571

According to recent reports, Gustav can be blamed for $15 billion in damage in the United States and 138 deaths in the United States and Caribbean. Ike caused an estimated $27 billion worth of damage in the United States and was responsible for 145 deaths, primarily in Haiti.