Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Gary Sigfrinius and four Forest Lake firefighters could head to the Gulf Coast as early as next week to help relieve overworked New Orleans firefighters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Sigfrinius said Wednesday he has been asked to serve as chief of one of four task force groups from Minnesota that is now on standby to deploy to New Orleans. Each of the four task force units will consist of three engines manned by four firefighters, one aerial ladder truck and one ambulance. The unit Sigfrinius is slated to command will have engine companies from Forest Lake, Richfield and Eagan and a ladder truck from Anoka-Champlin. The ambulance and crew will be from the St. Paul Fire Department. The units are being assembled as part of an agreement between Minnesota and Louisiana and formed by the Minnesota Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

ìWe are positioned to go to New Orleans,î Sigfrinius said. ìWe havenít been asked to go yet. These resources are pouring in (to New Orleans) from all over the country. Our chances begin next week.î On the list to join the Forest Lake fire chief are Capt. Alan Newman and engine crew members Joe Strunk, Dan Bothman and Eric Johnson. The crew would fill a two-week coverage slot. A tanker-pumper with a 2500-gallon water tank would be provided by Forest Lake Fire and Rescue, Sigfrinius said.

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Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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