A new book, The St. Bernard Fire Department in Hurricane Katrina, shares the experiences of St. Bernard Parish, La., firefighters in the days following Hurricane Katrina. The book was written by Michelle Mahl Buck, whose father and son were members of the St. Bernard Parish fire department during the storm. Proceeds from the sales of the book will benefit the St. Bernard Parish Local 1468.

In St. Bernard Parish, where major levees failed and lines of communication were destroyed, firefighters became the region’s EMTs, rescue and recovery workers, mechanics, social workers and provisions providers.

IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd praises the book for depicting the “dedication, compassion, ingenuity and selflessness” of St. Bernard Parish Local 1468 firefighters in the days following the storm. “These fire fighters rescued and assisted residents knowing that they had lost everything while facing uncertainty about their own families. That they operated under such stress makes these stories even more remarkable.”