Katrina...So Overwhelming!

SHIFT 13...Rick's ReFlections of his 32 years career in the Fire Service...

Outside of Cass's house...exhausted

We arrived at Louis Armstrong International Airport on October first, 2005. Not exactly sure how we would assist the New Orleans Fire Department and their community, but we were ready for whatever might call. The first thing that we noticed was the fact that our plane was only one of maybe two or three that would land that day. The passengers aboard were mainly made up of people coming to help. And the airport itself was pretty much a ghost town since the hurricane and would remain closed to regular traffic until a day or two before we left on the 15^th. 

Helping at Gail's house

We found that we were never at a loss at discovering how to assist throughout our two week journey. Immediately we were able to connect onto ‘Operation Chainsaw’. Some of the larger FD’s such as Chicago and FDNY, had organized a means to make the greatest difference within the New Orleans communities and set up their base at Holy Cross University. The six of us from PAF&R split into two teams of three. While one team was working a 24 hour shift either at the Louis Armstrong or a downtown station, the other team would go off to Holy Cross in order to get a daily assignment. Most often that assignment would include assisting people getting into their homes, retrieving valuables, or removing trees and debris outside. And though we worked long and exhausting days, we always kept the perspective that soon…we will go home. They on the other hand…were home.

Chris holds up the flag at a school

Three things that will forever be etched in my mind about our experience in New Orleans are: 1…the utter destruction of a person’s belongings after being under 8 feet of water for two weeks. 2…the smell, which we quickly dubbed ‘Katrina Juice’ or ‘Katrina Number Nine’. Oh it was ripe, especially the time when Chris and Frank were bringing a refrigerator down from a second story apartment…their footing slipped and…ooouuu…Katrina juice. Not niceL You see…with the electrical power down for several weeks, and the food within their refrigerators…I think you get it the idea. And 3…the eerie silence! I remember being at Cass McGee’s house, a fellow brother firefighter, taking some debris outside and just stopping for a couple minutes and looking out. About a minute later Chris would walk out and ask, “what are you doing?” “Listening”, I said. Here we were in the middle of a major residential area, a school directly across the street and there was no sound. No cars…no children playing…no wind…not even a bird’s song. Complete and absolute silence. 

Katrina juice...not nice

the Crew...

While working shifts within their stations, we would sit and hear their stories…Stories of their homes, their families, their valuables that they had lost. It was exhausting sometimes listening, but compassionate ears is what they so needed. For some it was days or even a week before they were even able to get to their own homes and families. Duty called! Those off duty could not get to work and those working could not get home. It was a mess. 

Helo's...all that was flying for days.

Someday I would like to return and see the changes that New Orleans has made. To visit with especially Cass and see how his resilience continued from the day when he and thousands had to restart life all over again.