Bismarck Rural Firefighters Off To Help Hurricane Victims In Louisiana

Governor Burgum has approved an Emergency Management Grant Compact, that will send a 6 person firefighting team to Louisiana to aid in hurricane recovery efforts.  Firefighters from Williston and rural Bismarck will make up the group to help with the after effects of hurricane Ida and her devastating storm.

According to an email obtained from the state of North Dakota Emergency Services, two rural firefighters from Bismarck and four from Williston are traveling to Baton Rouge.  This is not the first time that North Dakota has sent a convoy of help to Louisiana for hurricane clean up.  The state also sent an entourage back in 2005 for hurricane Katrina clean up.

While in Baton Rouge, the North Dakota Firefighters will work under one of the fire departments in Baton Rouge.  They will be assigned to structural fire suppression missions.

The names of the Bismarck rural firefighters are Lydia Citta and Scott Nelson.  The team from North Dakota is expected to remain in Louisiana for the majority of the month of September before returning home to North Dakota.

Bismarck Rural Fire Chief Dustin Theurer said, "The Bismarck Rural Fire Department is honored to help support recovery efforts and our members did not hesitate to answer the call."  Fire Chief Theurer went on to say he's confident these two departments are ready to support the mission they have been called upon to complete.

We wish them the best and safe travels to and from Louisiana.