Scott City FD appreciates help

To the editor:

First, I want the family who lost its house and possessions to know our thoughts and prayers are with them. If the fire department or city can help in any way, we want the family to feel free to call us.

Working in these temperatures takes more personnel. Every part of the body has to be covered. Any exposed skin would be burned. With temperatures in the 90s, our personnel can only work 20 to 30 minutes, and then they have to go to rehab. In rehab, a firefighter's pulse rate and blood pressure are checked, and while cooling down the firefighters replace fluids they have lost. The process takes at least 30 minutes. They can return for further assignments when released from rehab.

I want to thank several fire departments for assisting in fighting this blaze: Cape Girardeau Fire Department, NBC Fire Protection District, Chaffee Fire Department, Oran Fire Department and Delta Fire Department.

I also want to thank the North Scott County Ambulance District and Cape County Private Ambulance for sending equipment and personnel. They did an excellent job of taking care of firefighters. We had more than 50 personnel on the scene.

We had another asset too, and I want to thank the Scott City residents and police department for providing help and support. Several businesses donated food, water, ice and Gatorade: Burger King, Rhodes 101 Stop, Bob's Foodliner and Casey's General Store.

To everyone involved, the Scott City Fire Department gives you a special thank you.

JAY CASSOUT, Chief, Scott City Fire Department, Scott City