Viewpoints
When only sending the best
will do...
By David Hull
September 09, 2005
Friday
With all the talk about the "bridge to nowhere" and
what we should now do with it, this community should take pride
in the members of the Ketchikan Fire Department that have left
and are standing by to assist in the disaster that Katrina has
wrought. I know what it is like to travel to a situation such
as this. I went to Ground Zero 6 weeks after the towers fell.
Chief Rich Leipfert and the City of Ketchikan Staff responsible
for covering for the teams that are now in the disaster area
have taken a bold step to reach out from thousands of miles away
to offer help and hope to the stricken victims of this catastrophe.
This is a true example of the Alaskan tradition of Neighbor
Helping Neighbor.
As a member of KFD and Chief
of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, I understand
the sacrifice that Chief Leipfert, the remaining career staff
of KFD and the volunteers of KVFD have dedicated themselves to
in order to make this happen. I just wanted to take this opportunity
to let this community know that Ketchikan will be well represented.
The members already in the area, including locals, those from
other organizations already on scene, and those poised to relieve
those members when they return, carry with them our wishes that
we could go. Through their efforts we all get to help.
So to the residents of Ketchikan and Chief Leipfert, the North
Tongass Volunteer Fire Department stands ready to do its part
to assist in whatever way we can to provide added help and emergency
response whenever it is needed. All you have to do is key the
mike.
David Hull, Chief
North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department
Ketchikan, AK - USA
Related News:
Ketchikan Fire Department teams help
in Katrina disaster relief
- Two two-person teams from the Ketchikan Fire Department left
early Wednesday morning for Atlanta, Georgia to help in the Hurricane
Katrina disaster relief effort. Rich Leipfert, Ketchikan Public
Safety Director, said the teams are being sent in response to
a Federal Emergency Management Agency request for teams with
at least firefighting and emergency medical technician level
training. Leipfert said, "When we contacted FEMA about the
travel arrangements they advised us that the sooner the better.
The team geared up for a departure the next morning." -
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Friday - September 09, 2005
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