To close out the 2005 year, we are very pleased to have one of our own local heroes, Assistant Chief John Huff of Lincoln Fire and Rescue.

John spent much of September in New Orleans, in charge of nearly 800 search-and-rescue workers assigned to take care of the City. He is the leader of one of FEMA's three national Incident Support Teams dispatched to various locations during national emergencies. Huff was the driving force behind organizing an Urban Search and Rescue Team in Lincoln, one of only 28 nationwide. He was assigned to the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks, went to Oklahoma City after the bombing there and was one of the first people on the scene in Hallam after the devastating tornado last year.

John will have photos and stories about the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf and explain the organization and duties of Urban Search and Rescue Teams.

This is another perfect example of Lincoln being a leader in the nation and a very good excuse to be thankful - in the month of November - for our visionary, hard-working and dedicated City staff.

Council Comments