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At about 6:20pm Mark and 9531 arrived home in Salem.

Thanks for you support!

Steve

Northbound from Missouri

I talked to Mark at about 12:30.  They were a bit North of Memphis.  I would guess them in Mt Vernon near 5pm, in Salem near 6pm.

Steve

Sunrise

Sun rise Mississippi 70milles south of Jackson north bound.

5:30am, Lets Go!

9531 getting ready to depart Port Allen La. 05:30

One more night

They left Bayou Cane today a bit after 1:30pm.  They are now at Port Allen (Baton Rouge) staying overnight at a temporary FEMA Housing.  Actually it's a tent, a big tent.  A 48,000 sq ft tent that will house 750 people tonight.

In contrast to their great cajun food they had in Bayou Cane, tonight was Chow Hall Food "Red Beans and Sausage"

They have to get a good rest (with 750 others) before they can leave.  They plan to leave at 5:30 am.  They have 9531 fueled, maintenance check is complete and it's pointed North.  

They have pickedd up another rider and have to drop a him at Marion, then drop Shane at Mt Vernon.

Thanks for taking the time to keep up with Mark and Shane in Louisana.

I will see if we can get Mark to post a few other "after thoughts" in a day or two.

Thanks Again

Steve

On the road at Noon! or so...

We are leaving Bayou Cane at 12:30 today and will be in route to Port Allen Fire in baton rouge, La. for processing. They are telling us we will spend the night there and start our journey home first thing Thursday morning.

Demob this morning

It looks like the Salem truck and crew will be beginning the demobilization process this morning at 10:00 its possible that we will be bringing more people home in the truck if possible all total I believe their is to be 30 fire fighters headed home

Mt Vernon Blog & Pics

Keep an eye on the Mt Vernon FD Blog.  More info from Shane on their site.

Also check out their Pics

Tuesday 1800 Briefing

We had our briefing tonight at 18:00 hrs and the task force leader said that they where starting to make preparations tomorrow to demobilize some of the tenders and start replacing some of the guy's on the rescues and trucks. When apparatus are demobilize they will travel back to baton rough check out and then return to Illinois. The rest of Illinois resources will continue to stay in Louisiana until more is known about hurricane Ike

Crawfish Fettuccine

Just finished the craw fish fettuccine. After supper had a call of smoke in an apartment complex. Turned out to be overheated fan on a/c unit.  We are to be at station 1 for a meeting at 20:00 hours, hopefully find out about deployment.

Hey Cap!

Shift captain J Poiencot at station 4

Hanging out with Gustav

Just hanging out with Gustav waiting for craw fish fettuccine for supper

One of our own

One of the fire fighters lost his home and everything in it because of the hurricane. Before we all leave to go back to Illinois we are going to pass the hat and try to help a fellow Brother in his time of need, by the way even though he lost every thing he is still try to do all he can for his community.

Should I stay or should I go?

The only thing constant is change!! within 8 hours yesterday we had 3 briefings in the morning they said possible demobilization by the 9th by noon it had changed to the 11th and at a meeting in the afternoon they where making arrangements to extend our stay to the 19th. It maybe changing a lot but at least they are keeping us updated on the changes. everyone in the community has had their eye one the development of Ike and while they are happy that the hurricane land fall keeps moving south away from them they feel sorry for the area it is going to hit since they know the destruction that it will cause.

Storm Damage

This is a pic of a pole building just a couple of blocks from the fire station. Things are going good here and the men of station have been great to work with I thought when I came down here I would end up coming home a few pounds lighter but they are keeping us well fed with good louisana home cooking. Their talking about having a shrimp broil before we leave and I can't wait. The power line and fire calls have really drop off yesterday but are still having a lot of EMS calls. We spent most of yesterday cleaning all the trucks.

9531 & Crew

The guys assigned to 9531

Mark, can you put some names and Dept's to this pic? Steve

Names from left Engineer Mark Lee, Lieutentant Colby Rigg, Fire fighter Shane Emrich, Captain Terry McGuire, Fire Fighter Cash Markle

Panel Alarms

Had a couple of alarms this morning spent the rest of the time cleaning 9531.  It now looks like it was setting in our station.

Just out on another power line

Had a water flow alarm this morning at wal-mart due to drop in water pressure. We spent the rest of the morning cleaning 9531. sept 8-08

No email for Mark

Sorry if any of you are e mailing me.   In this area for some reason I am unable to log on to g-mail.

Posted by Mark

A Good Nights Sleep

We got our first night of good sleep at station 4.  The guys here have opened the station to us and made us right at home.  They are used to only having two firefighters at this station and are loving the fact that now they are responding with 4 trucks and11 fire fighters.

Posted by Mark

Picture of Gustav

This is our new dog Gustav,  he has now made Station 4 his new home.

Posted by Mark

Allendale Update - Bayou Blue

I talked to Colby with Allendalle Truck they are at Bayou Blue.  No water or electricity lots of damage.   They say the guys are constantly trying to feed them.   Their district is 20 miles long down the bayou.

Posted by Mark

Somebody call 911

I'm Going to have to go.  The light ballast above me is smoking.  I will try to give you an update tomorrow. 

Thanks to all that have helped and made it possible for me to come and be a part of this.

Posted by Mark

Update on Allendale / Mt Carmel

Just to let the guys from the Allendale/Mt. Carmel area know their fire fighters are being deployed to Bayou Blue.  The only thing I know is that Bayou Blue is about ten miles from Bayou Cane and that they had three stations and lost two of them in the storm.

Posted by Mark

Storm Damage - Pic

This is a building directly behind the station four.

Sunday Runs...

Since noon today we have had three more alarms at our station. It seems that it will be real Quiet except for all the EMS calls until the try to power up another section then there will be five - ten calls shared between the four station. Allendale truck that had been broke and in staging in Baton Rouge has now made it to Bayou Cane so that means 9531 or e-207 (our new truck number) is now back to only two men.

Power Lines and Transformers

Forgot to tell every one that last night at 22:31 we went to two residential alarm in station 2 coverage area due to them being on an alarm. After returning we were sent to lines arcing just south of station 4.   When we returned from that call we found the power pole behind station that our power is fed from was on fire.  If you think at home we wait a long time for the power company here after dark they will not respond unless it is threatening life or property we just leave it burning.  By the way at 08:00 the pole broke off and all three transformers caught on fire.

Posted by Mark

Busy Day

Hi guys sorry I have not been able to get back to you sooner.  Its been busy,  we had an officer meeting this morning (like every morning) and were told that are return date maybe shortened.

They also have demobilized the I. C. at L.S.U. and sent the rest of Illinois firefighters their back home except for a two squads that are headed this way.  We were also told that the Illinois firefighters in Bayou Cane will now run mutual aid to all fire departments in Terribone Parish.  Terribone Parish consists of 50 fire departments.

Posted by Mark

Comments Open...

I have turned on Comments for the Blog. Feel free to add info...

Also, Mark is now sending some posts from Bayou Cane. Lets hope their network stays up.

Keeping checking the Mt Vernon Blog for updates and new pictures.

Steve

Found some shade

Here is a pic of 9531 at the staging area. 

Thanks for the idea Randy and Roger.  

Posted by Mark Lee

Pic Storm Damage

This is what we had to look at when we left interstate 10 on the way to the staging area at L.S.U. fire acadamy.

Posted by Mark Lee.

Pic - LSU Staging

This is the pic when we entered L.S.U. staging.

Posted by Mark Lee

Our Dog Gustav

The dogs now has a name Gustav.

Saturday Evening

From Mark...

At station 4, Freeport has Captain Robin Gorsline, Firefighter Scott Townsend, Firefighter Tom Korte, Firefighter Curt Timmer.

We must now be into animal rescue. At about 4:30am a stray dog came in the station and has been her ever since. But will not eat a MRE. Imagine that! Still at the station @ 9:26pm

Seven tankers from Springfield Area are on their way to South Houma and to "Air Base" at Houma to cover every thing south. 2x @ 3500 gal, 3x @ 2000 gal, 1 @ 2500 gal , 1 @ 1800 gal

Now they have no fuel in the area. We had some yesterday, but it was contaminated and shut down our task force command. Engine 9531 is still at 3/4 for now.

Everyone is worried about the next hurricane. We also have 2 Paramedics from Slidel LA at our station.

Command for today has his stuff together. We now have a plan and can communicate between our trucks and Bayou Cane trucks at our station but we are the only station that can . ic is working on a possible plan for parishes north of us that still have no help. Tell Brad he better have an anser to my Question

Briefing this morning - Sta 4 (9531) comms issue resolved - other stations still having comms issues

Station 1 - about 2pm - Oil Spill about 150 gallons - unknown outcome

1939 - Panal Alarm at an Apratment Building complete 1943

1944 - Panel Alarm at a church - Nothing Found - Freeport and Ladder 9 stayed

1944 - Down Line and Tree Fire - waited for Power Co. - complete 1949

1954 - Freeport and Ladder 9 to another down line

About the same time frame, Station 2 - down line and carport on fire and Station 3 - down power line

Discussion between Area Chief and Station Chief, Station 4 (9531 and crew) have a good fire attack plan, they will now respond without Squad, Ladder(Alton). They now have a District Chief with them.

Station 4's Engine is first out. 9531 is 2nd out, water supply (2 on RIT).

Freeport Engine (Water Supply) - Fire Attack

Supper - Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs with sausage and steak in the meat sauce. They also had Mashed Potatos, which was prepared in a unique way.

Lunch - to Station 1 - Jambalaya

When you are on the streets, all apparatus you are running emergency lights

Curfew from 10pm until daylight. Only Emergency Services and the Power Company are allowed on the streets.

Saturday Morning

Late last night they were dispatched to a "large fire". When they arrived they found a neighborhood dispute. Nine apparatus down a long dead-end lane. One neighbor was cooking outside, the other did not like it and called in a fire.

At about 11:30 they responded to a Apartment Building for another Panel Alarm.

Mark is reporting Radio issues between the Mabas units and the local FD's. They can't find a channel that is compatible between the two radios.

At about 4:00am a Policeman came to the station reporting fire and smoke at the PD's dispatch and prisoner holding center. As they were all gearing up to respond, the FD dispatch center canceled them and sent other units. As it turns out, they were closer to the call. The call ended up being a generator on top of the building.

More Later
Steve

7pm update

First they have responded to three calls this afternoon.

1615 - Panel Alarm - Walmart  (strange, Salem had one today also)

1714 - Panel Alarm - Industrial Building

1747 to 1830 - Ice Distribution at Walgreens

The other stations have responded to EMS calls and a Car vs Building MVA.

Here is the crew with him...

Shane Emrich - Mt Vernon Firefighter

Terry McGuire - Mt Carmel Captain

Cash Marley - Mt Carmel Firefighter

Colby Rigg - Wabash County Lieutenant

Mark Lee - Salem Engineer

Also with them at Station 4 is an Engine and crew from Freeport.  No details yet.

20:19 - ???  Mark texted me that they were getting a call.

Thanks 

Steve

Assigned to Station 4

I just talked to Mark.  Here is his update...

9531 has been reclassifed from a tender to an engine.  Mark will get 2 more FF's from Mt Carmel and 1 from Belmont.  This will make them a 5 man engine.  One of the FF's from Mt Carmel is a Captain and will be the Company Officer for 9531.  They have been assigned to Station 4.  Here is a link to the Bayou Cane Fire District website.  Schaumburg has a HEAVY Rescue that is assigned to Station 1.  Alton has a Ladder that is also assigned to Station 1.  Both Schaumburg and Alton will respond with the other Stations for working fires.  Also at Station 4 is a 3 man crew and engine from Freeport.

They have been told that they will have a good water supply.  Houma and other area's do not have a good water supply.  They have been told that 7 to 10 tenders are now leaving the LSU Staging area to assist in Houma.

As most of you know, Mark loves paperwork.  He believes that he is now an expert on NIMS ICS forms 204 and 214.  He will be instructing a class on how to complete these forms later this year.  Please let me know if you are interested in learning more about these NIMS ICS forms.

More later when I get it.

Steve

Arrived in Bayou Cane LA

Thursday evening they were then assigned to Houma LA.  More info on Houma here.

Friday morning we have learned that they are now at Bayou Cane LA.  Bayou Cane is a suburb of Houma.  More info on Bayou Cane here.  Map of the area here.

When they left for Houma they also had apparatus and personel from Carbondale, Alton, Fayetteville, Schaumburg, and Savoy.

Check out this link for more info from Shane.

Please send me updates at smurphy.sfpd@gmail.com if you hear any info about the group assigned to Bayou Cane / Houma.

Steve

Assignment Received

I talked to Mark at about 10pm on Thursday Sept 4.

They are getting ready to leave for Houma LA.

More info on Houma here.

Steve

Arriving at LSU Staging

Here is a note from Mark...

Thursday Sept 4th  

Steve we are doing well, well done that is!!!!!   We made it to staging this morning at about 0700. Got check in quickly.   The truck is doing great.   We are still in the staging area which was a good pick no power, water, bath rooms or ice and it is flooded but they say their working on it.   No fire fighters have been given an assignment as of yet not getting hopes up but one lane leads out of here and we are second in line.  When we were taxied across town to eat we saw a lot of damage.   The gas stations that still have power have lines over a mile long. 

On the road...

9531, Mark and Shane meet with other units in Marion.  See this web site for more info from Shane.

Stop!

We have all of the paper worked completed.  9531 is planning to meet in Mt Vernon to pickup two Mt Vernon FF's and meet the light tower from Centralia.  They need to be in Marion at 6am to meet other Mabas units.

Stop!

We now received a call to cancel the Light Tower.  Sorry Gene!

Lets Go!

Well, it's 7pm, no fax, continue drill as scheduled...

7:20 - we now have a fax, recall some of the people training to assist with getting 9531 to deploy.

9531 is normally our first out engine.  2000 gallon tank, 2000 gpm pump, fully enclosed cab.  It needs reconfigured for tanker / tender operations.  Time to remove the stuff we need in Salem and add the stuff they will need in LA.   This includes fill point and dump point equipment, clothes, food, drinking water, laptop, camera and lots of other stuff that may be needed to be self sufficient for a few days.

Shane Emrich, a Mt Vernon Firefighter Paramedic will respond with Salem Engineer Mark Lee in 9531. (our new tender)

We also learned that in addition to a tender that we are sending a light tower and pickup truck.  The light tower is new and was provided to the mabas division for just this purpose.   Centralia City will send a Captain and Mt Vernon will send a FF to staff this equipment.

Lots of phone calls to get all of the info needed my the Mabas Red Center.

Waiting for a fax

Tuesday Sept 2.  Drill tonight at 7pm.  Pump Test, Vehicle Extrication...

Wait...  Get ready for a fax...  We are probably going to Louisiana.

Nothing to say

No info from anyone on Monday.  Everybody must be watching the hurrican news on TV.

More Predeployment

Sunday Aug 31, we received another notice about Gustav.  Mabas wants to know how many Mabas divisions can staff a Tender.  They may be looking to send 20 Tankers/Tenders to assist.  Each Tender would be staffed by 2.

Steve

Predeployment

Late Saturday night we received a message to be prepared for a mabas deployment to assist with relief efforts for Hurricane Gustav.