IAFF 2362 Members Volunteer for Katrina Relief Efforts

Six City of Las Cruces firefighters will deploy to the Gulf Coast region to contribute to the relief efforts in the hurricane-battered South. Three teams of two firefighters will leave Tuesday morning, September 6, 2005, from Fire Station 1, 201 East Picacho Avenue, at approximately 8:30 a.m.

They will fly from El Paso International Airport at 11:20 a.m. to Atlanta, Georgia, where they will begin their one-day orientation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each team will then be sent where they are needed and will be deployed for a minimum of 30 days.

The teams have spent this holiday weekend preparing for the deployment. Teams that will be deploying include: Driver/Operator Daniel Sanchez and Firefighter Steve Jaquez from Shift A, Driver/Operator Harold Caldwell and Firefighter Wally Monsivaiz from Shift B, and Driver/Operator Ted Sweetser and Firefighter Robbie Fresquez from Shift C. Two additional teams will submit their applications to the United States Fire Administration (USFA) today and will await selection.

The City and members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2362 (Local 2362) worked through the weekend to obtain the required equipment for these firefighters to include sleeping bags, backpacks, hydration packs, rain gear, mosquito repellant and netting, and sunscreen.

Due to the quick deployment of the teams, LCFD Lieutenant Robert Boehms traveled to Recreational Equipment, Incorporated (REI) in Albuquerque to purchase all of the equipment. The City and the Local 2362 combined spent nearly $10,000.00. REI discounted the entire purchase by 20 percent as a part of its contribution to the relief effort.

Ten firefighters submitted applications Friday with the USFA for FEMA's relief operation in the states affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The firefighters will perform non-operational community relations-focused activities consisting of direct outreach to persons in the affected Gulf Coast areas. City firefighter volunteers will assist victims in understanding how they will go about the process of getting federal assistance, distributing information, providing minimal first-aid, and taking reports.

The fire department's actions follow the authorization earlier this week by City Manager Terrence Moore for the city's police and fire departments to explore the possibilities of making emergency personnel available on a voluntary basis to assist with hurricane relief.

The city firefighter volunteers were chosen from among 32 applicants from within the ranks of the city's bravest. The selection of two, 2-person teams from each of the department's three shifts was based upon the impact that the volunteers' absence would have on each of the department's operational, hazmat, special programs and air rescue operations capabilities. The department has 117 total personnel.