The New Orleans Firehouse Restoration Project
In March 2007 we launched a unique partnership with the New York City District Council of Carpenters to initiate the New Orleans Firehouse Restoration Project. Highly skilled union carpenters worked side-by-side with NOFD firefighters and civilians to help restore firehouses devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Inspired by the passion and commitment of these first volunteers, the LFF and NYCDCC expanded the project into an ongoing volunteer program with the ambitious goal of restoring a total of 11 firehouses. This program was developed to bring new manpower to New Orleans, thus making restoration efforts cost-effective as well as meaningful for its volunteer participants, many of whom are local and national union members. Renovations included new electrical work, plumbing, air conditioning, insulation, sheetrock, taping, painting, flooring, ceilings, interior doors, all new fixtures, and moving load-bearing walls.
We are proud to announce that we have reached our goal.
Eleven New Orleans Firehouses have been restored and New Orleans firefighters have now safely returned to quarters.
What was estimated would take ten years and millions of dollars has been completed in two years at a fraction of the cost. (To see before and after photos please click here.
.
This milestone in the rebuilding of New Orleans was accomplished through the extraordinary generosity of volunteer union labor, construction material donations, and corporate support, including Calphalon, Dunkin’ Brands, Frito Lay/Flat Earth, Hilti Tools, Kohler, Millwright Woodwork, The NYMEX Charitable Foundation and many other contributors, local contractors and trade unions (see sidebar).
Frigidaire’s partnership provided a significant boost to firehouse morale with a donation of an entire kitchen suite of professional appliances and washer/dryer for each firehouse.
The NOFD lost 22 of their 33 firehouses, and 75-80% of the firefighters lost their personal homes and had family members evacuated. During the storm and its aftermath every member of the NOFD remained on duty. Restoring the firehouses has restored a sense of normalcy, but this restoration project goes far beyond supporting the NOFD. It assures displaced citizens that they have protection and support, encourages them to return and renovate, and provides a substantial impact on the safety, morale and rebirth of New Orleans.
THE LEARY FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT (to view click here)
Click here for Leary Firefighter Foundation’s Shrimp and Okra Gumbo with Sausage Recipe created by New Orleans Firefighter and Chef, Captain Mike Gowland, on behalf of Frigidaire Appliances.