Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Members of the Fire Fighters (IAFF) are setting up a command center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and are assessing membership needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which made landfall Aug. 29 as a Category 4 storm. Early reports indicate that members of IAFF locals 1405 in Houma and 1925 in Morgan City, Louisiana, were hardest hit. However, the union said that limited cell phone service, electricity outages and roads blocked with debris have made it difficult to get a complete picture. “Our team is ready to mobilize and respond to our membership’s needs immediately after the storm,” IAFF General President Edward Kelly said on Sunday. “We are also prepared to pull additional resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies as needed.” You can donate to the IAFF’s Disaster Relief Fund by visiting My.IAFF.org/Disaster.