NOFD Press Releases

Friday, January 02, 2009 the United States Coast Guard (USCG) assisted the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) by doing aerial evaluation of the area affected by the December 30th marsh fire in New Orleans East. During aerial reconnaissance, the USCG used thermal imaging equipment to determine that the marsh fire bordered by Paris Rd. and the Intercoastal Waterway was out.

Fireworks can result in severe burns, fractures, scars, lifelong disfigurement or even death. The thousands of serious injuries each year typically harm the eyes, head, or hands and are mostly reported in states, such as Louisiana. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2006, 9,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The trend in fireworks-related injuries has been mostly up since 1996, with spikes in 2000-2001, primarily due to celebrations around the advent of a new millennium, and in 2005. The highest injury rates were for children aged 10 to 14.

New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) is monitoring a large marsh fire in New Orleans East, located approximately 1000yds west of Paris Road and the Intercoastal Waterway. The fire is in an area that is completely inaccessible to NOFD equipment. The NOFD is attempting to have the U.S. Coast Guard do an aerial reconnaissance, to determine the total area involved. The fire is in an extremely isolated area and poses no threat to citizens or property.

On Monday, December 22, 2008, at 6:42 a.m. the New Orleans Fire Department responded to a 911 call to 4812 Camp Street. Companies arrived within 5 minutes to find a one story wood frame double engulfed in flames and quickly got the blaze under control, two residents escaped but an 80 year old woman perished in the rear of the house. Family members were awakened by smoke and heat and attempted to rescue her but the fire was too advanced. There was a space heater in the area of origin and no smoke detectors present in the home however, fire fighters found a to do list on an armoire in the front of the house with a listing to purchase two smoke detectors. The death has been labeled unclassified until the coroner does an autopsy. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) Fire Investigators and New Orleans Police Department Officers arrested a student for aggravated arson. NOFD personnel were dispatched at 9:30 a.m. to a one alarm fire at Mary D. Coghill Elementary School 5500 Piety Street. Once on the scene they found an extinguished fire that originated and was contained in the male staff bathroom. The fire was extinguished by school staff. The estimated fire damage was approximately several thousand dollars.

The New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) will hold a recruit graduation: