Bartlesville Firefighters Prepare To Help With Hurricane Ida Recovery

More help is on the way to Louisiana. Some firefighters from Bartlesville are getting ready to help with the Hurricane Ida recovery effort.

They will work alongside fellow first responders and head out early Friday morning.

Bartlesville firefighters said they wouldn't have it any other way. They said it's their duty to protect, serve, and meet people at their need in the middle of the mess.

At 5 a.m., Bartlesville firefighters and a Battalion Chief will hit the road and head toward Louisiana.

"We don't know really what we're getting into or where we're exactly even going yet. So, they'll tell us that when we get down there," said Ryan Dingman.

Dingman said one thing he learned from helping with Hurricane Katrina recovery in 2005, is that no one is immune to severe weather.

"It's all walks of life gets affected down there. Nobody's exempt from that stuff," said Dingman. 

Dingman said first responders in Louisiana were hit hard by Hurricane Ida, just like everyone else. Their own homes were destroyed and many of their memories washed away.  

"It's heartbreaking," said Ryan Dingman.

Dingman said disaster hasn't stopped his fellow brothers and sisters from doing their job.

"Not being able to evacuate and having to stay behind it's just, I know it can't be good," said Dingman. 

Bartlesville residents even dropped off donations today ahead the crew's departure.

Firefighters are bringing fuel, construction tools, tarps, generators, lights, and cleaning supplies to get the job done.

"We're just preparing for nothing to be down there at all," said Dingman. 

Eric Munday with the Bartlesville Fire Department said these guys will be clearing debris, as well as covering and patching roofs.

"High humidity and long hot days. There are going to be some smells. Most of it's just going to be back-breaking work," said Munday. 

Bartlesville Firefighters were there after Katrina, Rita, the Joplin tornado, and they'll be there to rebuild after Ida, too.

"We'll get there as quick as we can and do what we can to help. Whatever they need," said Dingman. 

The crew plans to head home on Monday.