Area firefighters pitching in along Gulf Coast
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Real estate in the Gulf Coast region has not been easy to market after Hurricane Katrina. The volunteer fire department serving Pearlington, Miss. now has fewer than 10 members because so many families had to relocate.

It may be easy to forget about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. After all, the storm smashed into America's Gulf Coast almost two years ago.

Unfortunately the nightmare continues for thousands of residents and former residents as well as the firefighters who still shoulder the responsibility of protecting life and property. Among those stepping forward to help these courageous men and women is a small but dedicated contingent from Western New York's fire service.

Dan Macakanja, a member of the Collins Fire Company, first heard about the need for manpower and equipment last March but did not give it much thought until almost a week had elapsed. He was inspired to contact Suzanne Stahl, head of an organization called Hands on Gulf Coast/Hands on New Orleans.

The next thing he knew, Macakanja was loading a 24-foot trailer filled with donated turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus and other supplies destined for the devastated West Hancock Fire Department in Pearlington, Miss., about 45 miles northeast of New Orleans.

Twenty firefighters made the delivery run, which doubled as an opportunity to assess the needs of the community and its first responders.

"We stayed for three days and were astounded at what we saw," Macakanja said. "The area is in a recovery mode now, but things like houses ripped to pieces are a danger in themselves."

Prior to the hurricane, the West Hancock Fire Department ran an average of 400 calls a year, according to Macakanja. Its fire protection district is spread out over 75 square miles. Pearlington is surrounded by more than 200,000 acres of forest that makes up the Stennis Space Center Federal Buffer Zone. Firefighters also cover roughly 13 miles of Interstate 10 and a large industrial port that is home to three major chemical companies.

Back then, the department had 50 members. Today, it has nine.

"Most of them lost their jobs and had to rebuild their lives somewhere else," he said. "Picture the 90 (New York State Thruway) at Walden Avenue at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon and running a motor vehicle accident call by yourself. These guys are fortunate to have two people on a call."

Katrina claimed all but one of the fire department's vehicles, a pumper firefighters parked inside a bunker at Stennis Space Center before the storm struck.

"I never would have thought of that," said the 20-year veteran of the fire service.

The department's fleet now consists of a command vehicle donated by Bridgehampton and Mt. Sinai, N.Y.; a modest squad vehicle purchased in 2002 but not yet paid for; a pumper acquired through a 2004 grant; a tanker funded by insurance proceeds and donation money; a rescue engine on temporary loan from Illinois; and a tanker on temporary loan from Tilghman, Md.

Macakanja and his nine-man crew - mostly from the Southtowns - returned home just before Memorial Day. Another area team followed shortly thereafter to take their place.

"The struggle now is for manpower. We have been recruiting through various chiefs associations to sponsor teams to come down here. People appreciate what we are doing for them," he added.

Members of his crew live at the new fire hall, sleeping on air mattresses, and he describes the conditions there as very comfortable.

Macakanja said he has often wondered how the firefighting community would react if Erie County were in the same situation.

"Would fellow firefighters feel compelled to help? Would we be as humble and thankful to those who would help us as those in West Hancock have been? I hope so," he said.

"Many of us assumed the government sweeps in and takes care of everybody and everything in the event of a natural disaster. They don't. We as a national community need to help when we can, where we can."

The perfect crew for the job at hand would include one firefighter with some command experience, two pump operators and two emergency medical technicians, he said. A paid ambulance service provides hospital transportation; firefighters handle immediate care on scene.

"There's a lot to do behind the scenes that people don't see," he said. "It has taken a lot to reinstall their pride and let them know they are not alone. We are supposed to be a brotherhood. Let's step up and show it."

For more information on the Hancock Hope Response Team, contact Macakanja at dan mac@iwon.com or call 341-2870.