[StBernard] Experience Speaks

[Westley Annis]

Experience Speaks
Janet Wilmoth February 6th, 2009
After 18 years as fire chief of the St. Bernard Parish Fire Department in
Chalmette, La., Chief Thomas Stone has many interesting stories, but none to
compare to his most recent.

Three years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed all 10 of St. Bernard Parish's
fire stations and the equipment they stored, including 14 apparatus and nine
command units. The community's 70,000 residents lost their homes and all
their possessions - the only parish or county to suffer 100% devastation on
the Gulf Coast.

"Our firefighters rescued thousands of our citizens during extreme
conditions and hardship," Stone said. "Their dedication, ingenuity,
fortitude and pride kept them on the job saving citizens even though they
lost their homes, vehicles and many could not locate their family for days."

Of the 10 fire stations, one now is operational and three more will open
this spring. The remaining stations are in various stages of bids or
construction. The department is currently using mobile homes to operate from
six locations. Department apparatus is housed in bays that are missing doors
and walls.

Stone is working with the FEMA Public Assistance Project Worksheet Program,
but progress is slow and at times frustrating. FEMA has a new national
design code that has had an impact on the design of the replacement fire
stations, including floors that must be five feet above grade or sea level.

"I have witnessed, firsthand the failure of government at all levels," Stone
said. "FEMA changes personnel like people change their socks. What is agreed
upon after many meetings is almost always changed when these personnel
changes take place."

Stone and Jay Chase, L7 Architects, will present the story of rebuilding St.
Bernard Parish fire stations at the 2009 Station Style Conference, May 3-5
in Denver. The story of 10 fire stations lost and the process to rebuild to
meet FEMA requirements is a story that needs to be heard.

By January 2006, Stone had lost 50% of his upper-management through
retirements and resignations. Of the 70,000 residents in St. Bernard Parish,
only 25,000 have returned and the tax-base is still down.

"I think that I have a story that others in my position may learn from,"
Stone said.This year's conference also will feature a new pre-conference
session designed for volunteer departments with tight or low budgets. The
new program, developed by Ronny Coleman, retired California state fire
marshal and FIRE CHIEF columnist, is based on recent research and years of
experience working with volunteer departments.

"What are the basics - the bare minimum - a fire station needs to exist?"
asked Coleman. From the minimum to potential for growth, Coleman gets down
to the guts of building a facility to meet the needs of a small fire
department.

Other topics for the fourth annual conference will include how to select an
architect (or if you need one), LEED certification versus just green,
training facilities, and budgets - how and where of raising funds.

Stone and several other fire chiefs and project managers will share their
lessons learned during the 2009 Station Style Conference. Can you afford not
to hear your peers? Experience is a good teacher.