First Responders Still Face Trouble in New Orleans, Elsewhere

In a televised press conference Friday morning, New Orleans Fire Chief Charles Parent reported that of the 21 incidents they responded to the day before, there were only three working fires.

The city is still using firefighting support from FDNY, Maryland and Illinois. At the same time, Chief Parent provided a number, 504-658-7634, for New Orleans firefighters who were trying to get back to the city, to call for assistance.

Thursday, Chief Parent reported they had the day before, 11 reported fires, six of which were inaccessible because of water. Three large buildings were lost on a college campus.

He said there were still about 100 New Orleans firefighters in the city but he was trying to get them out for R&R and with their families. To fill in he had over 800 firefightes from other states including New York and Maryland.

There was some water available in the city system but they were using it only to wash down engines after they had traveled through flooded areas. The water in the streets was terribly contaminated.

Also Thursday, the International Association of Fire Chiefs reiterated the importance of firefighters not self dispatching themselves to Louisiana.

According to the Statement: "New Orleans officials are reporting that 150-200 firefighters are self-dispatching daily to the city and surrounding areas. There are currently 1,000 firefighters at the staging area in Algiers, They are set up for 500 and can not logistically support additional personnel. Please do not self-dispatch to Louisiana."