|
For Immediate Release
September 12, 2008
Contact: David Roscow
(202)
487-4990
cell
Bill Glanz
(202) 329-5856
cell
Fire Fighters Prepare for Ike
Nation’s First Responders will
be on the Frontlines
Washington, DC – Fire fighters across Texas and the Gulf Coast
and specialty teams across the nation are preparing for Hurricane Ike, which is
expected to make landfall in Texas between Corpus Christi and Houston late today
or early Saturday.
“When Katrina made landfall three years ago, and the federal government
failed everyone, fire fighters were there during and after the storms, rescuing
tens of thousands from the floodwaters, even while their own families were
evacuated to other cities and their property destroyed,” IAFF General President
Harold Schaitberger said. “The IAFF was on the ground providing support to fire
fighters then and we are there ahead of the storm this time.”
During the response to hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, many fire fighters
in the coastal region remained on duty for more than nine straight days, without
relief, many working out of heavily damaged stations with inoperable equipment.
As many as 80 percent of the fire fighters in the region also suffered
significant loss of property and their families were evacuated while they
remained on the frontlines.
Prior to Ike’s imminent landfall, hundreds of IAFF members that are part of
search and rescue and logistical operations teams from cities across the country
are on standby and ready to respond.
The IAFF is working closely with its state and local affiliates in the
threatened states.
San Antonio, Texas, Local 624 fire fighters are offering their training
center as a shelter to displaced fire fighters and their families.
The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in
Washington, DC, represents more than 290,000 full-time professional fire
fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More
information is available at www.iaff.org.
Click here for IAFF Press Releases and Archives
|
