The United States Fire Administration (USFA), at the request of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and a number of other fire service organizations and disaster relief efforts, has announced the opening of a national call center to assist fire organizations seeking to help fire departments, firefighters and their families affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The call center has been created to accept calls from departments with equipment to be donated to departments that have lost theirs. The call center will also be taking calls from fire departments needing equipment in the disaster areas, as well as firefighters seeking assistance with their family needs.

The USFA call center number is 1-800-250-9036, and the email address is fireaid@dhs.gov. Starting Saturday, September 24, 2005, the center will be open from 7am to 7pm (EDT), seven days a week until further notice.

"The NVFC will continue to work closely with the USFA and other organizations to ensure the fire service's needs are being met during this extraordinarily challenging time," said Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg.

All donations will be managed by a Steering Committee representing the numerous relief efforts currently underway throughout this nation. Requests for assistance will also be reviewed by this steering committee for matching of the offer and the need.

"Nothing like this has been done before by the USFA," said Charlie Dickinson Deputy USFA Administrator. "To be asked by these organizations to assist with the coordination and to have FEMA Donations encourage us to assist these groups is indeed a great honor."

Another web location to find out how you can help affected fire departments is http://adoptafirehouse.com/