About Adopt a Firehouse

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About Adopt a Firehouse

My Department Wants to Help

As an emergency services community, its our duty to ensure that the hundreds -- if not thousands -- of firefighters, rescue workers and first responders impacted by Hurricane Katrina has a future that enables them personally, and as fire, rescue and EMS organizations, able to land on solid ground.

It may be days or weeks before the number of fire departments and stations (and perhaps several thousand of their own responders) impacted by Katrina becomes clear. We're asking fire, rescue and EMS departments, organizations and companies to 'Adopt a Firehouse'.

» For Civilians & Responders: Where to Donate Money for Impacted First Responders

Please remember that communications in the impacted areas is poor at best. The intent of this program is not to provide immediate operational support -- Click here for links to operational support resources -- but rather to be a long term support system for departments and their members/staff in the months and years ahead.

Applying to Adopt a Firehouse in Need

This site will compile a list of fire departments interested in participating in this program for now, and then work with local, state and national fire service groups to facilitate getting fire departments connected to each other.

It is possible that there will be many more departments offering support and services than departments/stations in need. For this reason, please do not hesitate to submit your information no matter the size or limit of your abilities.

Whether your department is able to donate any amount of used equipment to adopted departments, offer personnel and/or materials to assist in the rebuilding, coordinate a clothing or food drive for an adopted department's members, or simply just be available for moral support ... departments in need NEED you.

Important Note Before Submission: A chief-level or senior operational/administative officer for EACH station/department should complete this form only. Submissions from individual stations within a larger department are acceptable, but any 'owned' materials distributed must have approval of the department if selected. Each station/department submitted must have a primary contact.

Know of a Firehouse or Is Yours In Need of Adoption?

Has your fire, rescue or EMS department or organization been significantly impacted by Hurricane Katrina? Or do you know of a department that has been impacted but lacks the means to get the word out? Here's the place to submit the information. Submitted departments will be reviewed by the nation's fire service organizations and resources applied as deemed appropriate.

Once a connection between a department in need and other 'adopting' departments is made, we hope a long term bond will develop so that the department impacted and its members can:

Get the equipment and logistical support needed to rebuild their stations and department in order to service their communities as they also rebuild

Have their members get support ranging from clothing, general goods and personal items to rebuild their own lives

Have members of other departments to lean on for emotional support

Any and all other needs served as quickly and effectively as possible

» Click Here to Submit a Department / Organization in Need

For Manufacturers and Distributors

Fire, rescue and EMS related manufacturers and distributors are encouraged to complete a profile form with your company contact information and any materials, equipment, services, products, etc. that may be made available (i.e. donate) to departments impacted by Hurricane Katrina to help them rebuild. This information will be forwarded to the appropriate parties at the various fire service organizations.

Operational Support and Immediate Response Needs

Departments who want to offer immediate operational support including specialized rescue, EMS, etc. should work through their state/regional emergency management agency. Individual responders should go through their department.

At no time should anyone self-dispatch to the impacted region.

» Responder Call by FEMA for Community Relations Teams: Volunteers - Paid/Career

» NAEMT Info for EMS Responders - Hurricane-Related Info for Health Care Professionals

Where to Donate

Are you a first responder OR civilian who wants to provide fiancial support? Please support these funds that specifically target responders.

» NVFC Relief Fund

» IAFF Disaster Fund

» NAEMT EMS & Rescuer Fund

» Fraternal Order of Police

Special Projects

» T-Shirt Off Your Back Drive for Firefighters

» Ferrara: Logistics Center for Firefighter Relief Supplies

Resources for Victims of Katrina

» FEMA: Evacuee & Disaster Victim Resources

» FEMA: Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals

» Finding a Place to Stay

» More FEMA Katrina Information

» American Red CrossSending Goods

Non-perishable SMALL items (such as clothing, linens, toiletries, life's basics), are being collected in many local locations. We enourage you to use your local locations, but for responders specifically you may also send to:

Adopt a Firehouse

c/o Firehouse.com/Cygnus

11720 Beltsville Drive

3rd Floor

Beltsville, MD 20705

Please do not send cash or money here: PLEASE use the responder funds listed above for financial donations.

Please do not send operational equipment of any kind to this address. Hold in case you are selected to 'Adopt' a Firehouse or contact your state Emergency Management Agency.