Central Fire Department Responds to Isaac

Submitted by Central Fire Department

    The Fire Chief held a meeting with the Mayor and senior CFD staff on Sunday evening August 26, 2012 to discuss initial preparations as it appeared Hurricane Isaac was starting to make a move for the Louisiana coast.  Sunday evening all five CFD stations initiated their hurricane check list to make sure personnel and equipment were ready for storm response.  As in past hurricanes, fuel supply was a major concern.  Due to anticipated long lines at gas stations all of our trucks and gas cans were filled Sunday night to ensure uninterrupted response to emergencies throughout the event.  Chainsaws, sand and sandbags, medical supplies are just a few other items that were checked.  All CFD personnel were placed on “emergency stand by” for immediate call back and the CFD Dive/Water Rescue team was tasked to prepare all personnel and equipment for immediate use.

    Monday CFD personnel remained busy throughout the day with meetings at the EBR EOC and the Central EOC.  During these meetings the latest storm predictions were provided to the CFD Staff, Central City Staff, Central DPW, EBRSO and Central PD. The Central City EOC became operational at 1300 hours on Monday and closed at 2200 hours.

    Tuesday the Central EOC became operational full time at 0700 as Hurricane Isaac began to approach the Louisiana coast. Staffing at all CFD stations was increased to prepare for the expected rise in emergency responses. We had several more meetings with EBR EOC and City of Central.  Hurricane forecasts were monitored and passed to all personnel.  Last minute plans and equipment checks were completed as CFD personnel prepared for the worst and prayed for the best.

    Wednesday Hurricane Isaac struck Central and we responded to more than 30 emergency requests for assistance from the public. We started our response to Hurricane Isaac at 0135 for false fire alarms and handled the last call of the day, a tree down, at 21:30.  More than half of the responses were for trees or power lines down.  There were 10 to 15 homes damaged by falling trees in the Central Fire District.

    Thursday we started the day at 00:13 with a kitchen fire and ended the day at 23:22 with false fire alarms.  A briefing in the EOC at 0600 was held for the Fire Department, City Services and Mayor Staff to discuss road closures and rising water concerns.  At noon, two Central Firefighters were activated when Louisiana USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) deployed for help in Tangipahoa Parish to assist with the possible dam failure and flooding.  City services were released from EOC at 16:00.

    Friday started very early for exhausted CFD personnel with a major working house fire caused by a generator being placed too close to the house.  The alarm was received at 02:15 and the fire was placed under control at 0259.  Pride Fire Department provided additional personnel at the scene and Eastside Fire Department provided personnel and equipment to cover empty CFD stations.  The remainder of Friday was filled with responding to sporadic requests for assistance from the public and demobilizing the Central EOC. 

    From Wednesday morning until Saturday morning CFD responded to more than 50 emergency calls for service.

    Saturday through Tuesday we continued to assess road closures and flooded areas. 

    The Central Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office, City of Central officials, DPW and Central City PD worked together as a team to provide professional service to the Central Community throughout Hurricane Isaac. CFD’s goal was safe, immediate response to our citizens needs and that goal was accomplished without any injuries to fire service personnel.