Harrods Creek sends 12 firefighters to help with rescue efforts in New Orleans

    The Harrods Creek Fire department sent a total of twelve members to the hurricane rescue efforts in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Eleven of the members are firefighters whom are trained as Swiftwater Rescue Technicians.  The twelfth member is the department chaplain who has experience in the Marines.  The members were sent as part of the Jefferson County Water Rescue Team.  On Monday August 29th hurricane Katrina struck the coast of New Orleans and Mississippi as a category four hurricane.  The Jefferson County Water Rescue Team was placed on standby for possible deployment to the gulf coast.  Soon after the team was given the order to respond to Baton Rouge Louisiana for assignment.  The team was mobilized and on the road by 6:00PM that afternoon.  A total of thirty members, including nine members from Harrods Creek, were deployed.  The team arrived in Baton Rouge at approximately 10:00 AM on Tuesday morning.  Immediately the team was given orders to respond to New Orleans to help with the rescue effort after the collapse of the levy system.   While deployed the team made over 2500 rescues and took water and food to stranded victims. During the time in New Orleans three other Harrods Creek firefighters were sent down to relieve rescuers already there.  The team survived mostly on MRE's (meals ready to eat), snack foods and water while deployed.  At night the team stayed in area firehouses either in a cot or on the floor.  During the first 65 hours of the incident the team only had six hours of sleep.  The team returned on Wednesday September 7th.  All members returned safely but much of their gear including two boats and two vehicles were damaged.