EDITORIAL: Menlo crew aids Katrina victims EDITORIAL: Menlo crew aids Katrina victims (September 28, 2005)

Menlo Park is a long way from New Orleans, but for 1,000 or so victims of Hurricane Katrina helped by the Menlo Park fire district's Swift Water Rescue Team, the city must be held in very high esteem.

And well it should. The Swift Water group -- a team of 14, including 12 local firefighters -- searched door to door for survivors amid the flooded and fetid streets of the city. They are the ultimate in selflessness, ready to fly off at a moment's notice when called. While on a mission, they are separated from their homes and families for weeks at a time, and usually endure extremely rough living conditions themselves.

Last week's cover story detailed the return of the rescue team members, who came home to a rousing welcome from their families and colleagues. The 14 members, all but two from the Menlo Park district, also heard a big thank-you from Bart Spencer, president of the fire district board.

The Swift Water crew should not be confused with the much larger Task Force 3, also Menlo Park-based, which just returned home last week after pulling duty in New Orleans. This experienced group has responded to the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9-11 attacks in New York City.

It is testament to the drive and vision of the district's leaders and officers who have created these special teams and made them a part of the country's disaster response network under the auspices of FEMA.

And while it is reassuring to have that type of expertise in various parts of the country, it has to be even more comforting to know that Menlo Park and the surrounding communities could count on this unit should a major earthquake or similar disaster hit the Bay Area.

By the same token, Task Force 3 members would say that this is hardly the time to become complacent. Everyone in the Bay Area should take the Katrina/Rita storms as a wake-up call to make sure their own disaster plan is up to date. Emergency kits containing food, water and basic "what to do in a disaster" information need to be updated and put in a safe place.

Our hats are off to the Swift Water Rescue and Task Force 3 team members, who continue to make us proud that they hail from our community. The least we can do is be ready if our region is the next to suffer a natural catastrophe.

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