United States Fire Administrator Issues Appreciation for the Outpouring of Firefighting Resources for Humanitarian Purposes

Release Date: September 11, 2005

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison has reported more than 4,000 firefighters contacted the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) call center in Emmitsburg, Maryland to answer the recent call for firefighters to join and support the national response to Hurricane Katrina.

"The United States Fire Administration wishes to thank the fire service for the magnificent response in support of the Hurricane Katrina community relations mission," said Paulison. "More than 4,000 firefighters responded to the call for a Community Relations effort and have been sent into some of the harshest conditions one can imagine to assist our fellow Americans."

The USFA, working through the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), reports that more than 4000 firefighters from across this nation offered to accept this very unique fire service challenge. There are approximately 2000 teams of two (2) firefighters being activated, trained and deployed.

"Residents of this great nation often times think of our firefighters in their boots, helmets and responding with lights and sirens. From the onset of this disaster and this huge humanitarian effort, this nation's response required people accustomed to accepting quick training, possessing a skill set for working in the Incident Command System, with incredible compassion and flexibility to meet and assist people under unimaginable stress, " Paulison added. "This nation's firefighters, working across many states with the many evacuees and victims, have once again demonstrated the fact that when called, they come. Once again firefighters have responded to the worst weather disaster this nation has ever experience."

For continuing updates regarding the activities surrounding Hurricane Katrina, visit:

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.