House to house with flashlight, ax
Posted: Thursday, September 15 at 03:11 am CT by Kari Huus
Experience the sights and sounds of the house-to-house searches, as firefighters Jeff Dees and Marty Kreil describe their job.
MERAUX, La. -- It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Someone needs to check every one of the 20,000 or so evacuated homes in St. Bernard parish to see if there are survivors or bodies inside before residents are allowed back into the area.
That’s what six firefighters from Illinois signed up for. As we follow them today, there are more than 100 firefighters from around the country taking on this exercise: Slogging through the muck left behind by the storm surge, sweltering in the Louisiana sun, climbing over heaps of rotting furniture in rooms where mold coats the walls -- checking room by room, house by house, street by street.
Firefighters from the Chicago area who are helping with search and recovery in hurricane-stricken St. Bernard Parish, from left: Marty Kreil, Jeff Dees, John Swanson, Tom Seay, Mark Kuzmicki and Don Jernberg. (Jim Seida / MSNBC.com)
“It’s incomprehensible,” says Lieutenant Don Jernberg of North Palos, Ill. Fire Department, who has worked through a lot of disasters. When I ask if this compares to anything in his experience, he shakes his head wearily. “This takes the cake.”
Most of the homes in the Meraux neighborhood they’re searching are still standing. The trappings of middle- and upper middle-class comfort are piled up, and reeking of rot. After breaking down the front door, the firefighters still struggle to push the doors open against the heaps of debris and mud.
Despite the total disarray of the houses, the firefighters step carefully over the personal items in the houses.
“Please tell people we are treating their homes with utmost respect,” says firefighter Tom Seay. “We aren’t breaking anything we don’t need to.”
There was an earlier sweep through these neighborhoods, but we’re told that early military recovery personnel were not allowed to break into homes that were not open, so many are now being looked at for the first time.
Over the last week, recovery teams like this one have discovered 24 bodies. Since finding a man in his truck in the carport, they are always careful to check in cars. They look in attics where people may have crawled as the flood waters rose. Looking at the rooftops, we can see homes with holes in the roof, where people crawled out on the roof hoping to be rescued. Many were, but some were not. After checking a house, they spray-paint a code on it, to indicate the date checked, the number of bodies inside, and any hazards, like a leaking gas line or an angry dog.
The local incident commander at the fire station, Leon Lea, says he hopes teams will complete checking most houses within a week. Separately, he’s looking to contract outside for hazmat people to go through homes in the part of St. Bernard affected by a 22,000-barrel oil spill from Murphy refinery.
For these firefighters, there are bizarre and macabre discoveries along the way, like fish in the attics of houses. Sometimes they come across snakes and eels. There are cars standing on end. Inexplicably, a bowling ball balances on the eave of one house.
“That’s what you call a gutter ball,” says one of the Illinois firefighters in a moment of dark humor. It’s understandable. In this wasteland, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.
Firefighters move on to the next home to be searched. (Jim Seida / MSNBC.com)
'Tired, aggravated and disgusted'
TRACKBACKS
MY DECEASED OLDER BROTHER RETIRED FROM N.O. FIRE DEPT.AS A CAPTAIN;MY BROTHER-IN-LAW IS ALSO A RETIRED FIRE CAPT.OF N.O.;I HAVE TWO NEPHEWS,SONS OF MY BROTHER -IN -LAW THAT ARE PRESENTLY ON DUTY IN THE N.O. FIRE DEPT.I SALUTE ANYONE IN THIS PROFESSION AND I AM GLAD I COULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE JOB.MY FAMILY DEFINITELY APPRECIATES ALL THAT YOU DO.
D. L. GOMEZ ,LIVINGSTON,LA. (Sent Sep 15, 2005 2:41:52 AM)
Does anyone have any contact info hor the HAZMAT cleanup teams? I have HAZMAT training that I recieved while enlisted in the Army.
James Beal, Little Elm Texas (Sent Sep 15, 2005 4:58:56 AM)
I would like to extend a personal thanks to all that are in the areas helping out and our prayers are with you all as well as all the families affected. Continue the excellent work.
Stacey, Metro, DC (Sent Sep 15, 2005 5:46:21 AM)
you guys are doing a great job keeping us updated on the desaster. thankyou. keepup the good work.
bruce jones (Sent Sep 15, 2005 6:25:57 AM)
God Bless those men for going in to this Hell and searching for the deceased. They are doing an invaluable job for our state.
Kellie, Holden, Louisiana (Sent Sep 15, 2005 8:12:14 AM)
My family and I commend all the efforts from all persons who are working so diligently in the area to help in all ways possible. Out hearts and prayers continue to go out to all the affected persons. We will continue our prayers for all of you. God Bless You All.
The Porsch Family
Tracy Porsch, Amarillo Texas (Sent Sep 15, 2005 8:13:11 AM)
Thank you Illinois firefighters. I am from the Atoka/Mundord area in TN, a wife and mother of four. We do not have friends or relatives in the Gulf Coast area but have helped out through our local fire department to give supplies and funds for the evacuees who have come to our area. I always wish I could do more and am greatful for those who can. I especially think about your families who miss you while you are away. Thank you. Sincerely, Theresa Hayes
Theresa Hayes, Atoka, Tennessee (Sent Sep 15, 2005 8:13:21 AM)
On behalf of myself and family,we dearly sympatise with the persons affected by the recent hurricane. We wish them a speedy recovery and that they return to their normal lives as soon as possible. We also know that the American government is doing their best and that is important.
Yours Sincerely,
Nandkumar Persaud.
Citizen of Guyana.
Nandkumar Persaud, Georgetown, Guyana, South. America (Sent Sep 15, 2005 8:50:04 AM)
I am truly amazed at what I am seeing. God Bless the men, women and children who went through this terrible event. May God be with and Bless all of those involved in the Rescue Efforts. When we look at the world today, it gives us hope to know there are still wonderful caring people out there. All those giving of theirselves should be very proud.
Wendy Johnson, Roselawn, Indiana (Sent Sep 15, 2005 9:02:33 AM)
Dear Sirs - Many Thanks for posting this article as it strikes very close to home for my family.
Three families from St. Bernard and one from Meraux, in particular evacuated and are safe in Dallas,TX with our daughters. I have forwarded via email this report to a daughter who has a PC and can share it with those relatives. They do not currently have a PC in their new quarters, but will have one installed this weekend(I bought it for them).
This article will give them some insight, as they have had no previous info to inform them about their homes. Again, Many, Many Thanks.
Mike Hogan - Loveland, Oh (Sent Sep 15, 2005 9:20:08 AM)
Once again our fire fighters show what they are made of ... determination, inner strength, and selfless giving to help others in need. While a lot of fire fighters in NY received recognition during 9/11, you don't really hear much about them during this disaster. I just wanted to tell them thank you, from the bottom of my heart. May God bless you and keep you safely in his hands, comforted as you perform your mission of mercy. May he provide the right words of comfort for you to give the family members when questioned on their loved ones status. May he guide your footsteps and clear your path of any harmful object. God Bless -- A.
alicia San Antonio TX (Sent Sep 15, 2005 9:35:18 AM)
I can remember how exhausting the work was last year after being hit with three different hurricanes at my home in Winter Haven, FL. Just the tree removal alone was enough to physically and emotionally drain us all. We were left with almost all our personal possessions and we are all healthy and alive. Our prayers and donations have been sent and will continue to be sent in the months to come to all those families along the Gulf Coast. My heart is bruised with grief for those of you that have lost family members. May God bless you all.
Debbie, Winter Haven, FL (Sent Sep 15, 2005 9:41:16 AM)
Can anyone tell me what happened to the very old cemetery which is above ground in New Orleans?
June Corbid (Sent Sep 15, 2005 9:56:58 AM)
I guess not that it matters a whole lot but why don't the workers break a tall window rather than knocking down front doors. To returning residents there's something about the door to a house being messed with that makes you feel violated. A front door represents both a welcome to those entering and also a thing of protection for the family within. I would think it would sit better on the already damaged and tramautized psychies of the home owners that their front door being busted down is the icing on the cake...even if it was for an honest and good reason. I commend the workers for trying to leave everything as intact as possible but I can't help but think that if it was their house they would feel the same way. If they find someone in their dead? well then open the door from the inside and bring the body/s out that way. This may seem trivial in such a huge disaster but as much normalicy as possible is the key and it would be such a simple thing to make the homeowners feel like their home is still theirs and not a search and rescue destination.
Sharon D. Aitken ( American), Nassau, Bahamas (Sent Sep 15, 2005 11:12:48 AM)
Please report on the huge effort by understaffed, heroic animal rescuers in New Orleans and surrounding parishes. Why so little press? HSUS president and CEO asked for full force of National Guard to help save the thousands and thousands of abandoned, trapped companion animals--It has been two weeks now and it is almost too late. Please help. What a nightmare. Check out pasadosafehaven, bestfriends, and nola.com to get an idea of the magnitude of this effort.
Rebecca Adams, Wichita, KS (Sent Sep 15, 2005 11:31:07 AM)
What are rescuers doing when they find living pets in the houses they are entering? Do they rescue them? Do they notify pet rescue? Are they able to leave food and water? These people never thought they would not be allowed back in to their homes and are searching
shelters and begging authorities and rescuers to see about their pets. Remember the hurricane did not do all this damage, and most survived the hurricane only
to have the levee/floodwalls rupture. Most people are going to remember this event for its confusion, blame throwing, no order, no one in charge and all the pets left to die because no one had a plan and authorities did not listen to their own people.
D.Anne, Morris, New Jersey (Sent Sep 15, 2005 11:33:38 AM)
I want to take this opportunity to thank the ladies and gentlemen that have been working in the aftermath of Katrina. You guys are doing a great job and God Bless every single one of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. People will remember that you guys did save lives, and thank you for been our heroes just like our American Soldiers.
Peter Alvarez, Brownsville, Tx (Sent Sep 15, 2005 11:53:04 AM)
All of these firefighters are admirable and I thank them for their attitude and selflessness. Their humanity and compassion is an aspiration we should all strive for. My wish for them is peace for their mind and soul and a joyful and healthful long life.
Marie, Houston, TX (Sent Sep 15, 2005 11:59:15 AM)
So much sorrow, so much pain, so much havoc, and yet, in the face of it all, there are men who are willing to get down and dirty, and do the work that no one else will do. These men should be commended for their bravery, and their sacrifice, for they are going right into the rotting corpse of tragedy to bring closure. These men have volunteered to go into a murky, muddy, grave, so that others may come back and begin to heal, and rebuild with out the fear and the pain of coming across bodies and contaminates in their homes.
These are the unsung hero's who deserve our gratitude, our prayers, and our thankfulness. It is people like this that make America great, people who selflessly give, so that others may benefit.
William Help, Edmonton, AB (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:02:04 PM)
This article was extemely touching to me. I commend all of the brave souls that are volunteering their time and effort to the hurricane victims. The firefighters that are mentioned in this article have a long and aggonizing job ahead of them, but I know in my heart that all of the families and friends are so greatful for what they are doing. I would personally like to thank them for their efforts and pray for their safe keeping.
Thankyou
Katie, Pendleton, Oregon (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:10:38 PM)
Please tell these firefights to keep up the good work, and tell them thank you for all that they have done.
Sincerely
Corey Andeen
Casselton Fire Dept.
Corey Andeen (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:17:04 PM)
People such as these firefighters are the real heoroes of today. Willingly giving of their time and energy to reachout to a community devastated. People simply wanting to help those who suffered loss.
Dan Lethcoe (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:28:03 PM)
Kudos to the hard working firefighters and other workers who volunteer to come from all across the nation to do these most difficult tasks.
Ron, Daytona, FL (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:30:35 PM)
Please let everyone know that they (Louisiana goverment) has stopped the rescue of animanls to Mississippi. They are not allowing them to be removed for 15 days and the dogs and cats are now dying for lack of care. At one point they were letting them go to Tlyertown Mississippi for care, meds,and food.
The group that is down there, trying to save the animals are now being told they will need to hire an attorney, and that could cost up to 10,000.00 dollars. These are volunteers down there, they need whatever help MSNBC and all of the networks can give to them. Please help the people who are helping the animals
Camille DeCarlo, Uniontown, Pa. (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:30:38 PM)
My brother is a firefighter, and I myself am a SAR ops sergeant. I weep for these men and for the job they are doing. Let us remember that those who bring out our dead need our prayers as much as those who are caring for the living. Semper Fi boys.
SSG Holli Stevenson, Augusta GA (Sent Sep 15, 2005 12:35:26 PM)
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