Madison County firefighters assisting in Hurricane Ida recovery
Five firefighters from the Madison Fire Department and four from the Gluckstadt Fire Department left Wednesday for Baton Rouge to help with recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida.
Hurricane Ida came ashore as a category 4 storm in south Louisiana on Sunday morning devastating much of south Louisiana and south Mississippi.
Madison Fire Chief Derrick Layton said the county fire coordinator contacted him Tuesday and told him that firefighters were needed in Louisiana right away.
Layton said the firefighters left for Baton Rouge on Wednesday morning escorted by the Mississippi State Fire Marshal's Office. The contingent of firefighters includes, from the Madison Fire Department: Blakeney Wyman, paramedic; Josh Hudgens, EMT; Peyton Clark, EMT; Nick Brookes, training coordinator; Lt. Tommy Stewart, EMT; and from the Gluckstadt Fire Department: Nick Rushton, Station 3 battalion chief; Lt. Chad Perry of Station 3; Pvt. Joshua Burge of Station 2; and Lt. Andy Divine of Station 3.
After arriving in Baton Rouge, the Gluckstadt firefighters were sent to help the Hammond Fire Department, and the Madison firefighters and the Fire Academy personnel were sent to help a fire department in St. Tammany Parish, where they are clearing trees from the road, looking for any missing people and putting tarps on houses, among other details.
Layton said he was happy the local firefighters can help.
“It’s our job to help people,” Layton said. “If our Louisiana neighbors need help, we want to help them out as best we can and I know they would do the same for us.”
Layton said he does not know when the firefighters will return, as the mission could last as long as two weeks.
In addition to the firefighters who traveled to Louisiana, two other firefighters, inspector Kevin Miller and Emergency Medical Technician Bradley Page, went to Gulfport on Friday, Layton said.
Gluckstadt Fire Chief Henry Davis said Texas sent in a lot of fire engines, and the firefighters from Gluckstadt are planned to man those engines.
“Along with these guys, we also sent two rescue units,” Davis said. “I believe they’ll make a good impact. We’re here to help, that’s what we do. If people need aid, we’ll try our best to help them.”
Davis said the four firefighters in place now will stay for seven days and when they come back, four more will travel to Louisiana to take their place.
“They need cover for 14 days,” Davis said. “They’ll be doing structural firefighting and electrical work. I know they’ll do good work and help the people in need there.”
After the contingent arrived, the Lee Road Fire Department in Covington, Louisiana, posted pictures of the visitors on social media.