April 29, 2011 – As communication lines open up, the IAFF is learning that several fire fighters have been affected by the tornadoes that killed at least 300 people across the nation’s south this week. While no severe injuries have been reported, 15 fire fighter homes in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee were significantly damaged by the deadly storm system.

“The devastation is widespread and will have a negative impact for some time to come,” says IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd. “However, my focus right now has to be the well-being of our members and their families.”

Todd advises any IAFF member with damage to his or her home to fill out the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund form and return it to him.

The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund provides assistance to IAFF members who suffer financial hardship as the result of a federally declared disaster area or in cases of natural or man-made disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires or civil disturbances.

Birmingham, AL Local 117 is also establishing a relief fund for affected fire fighters. Checks can be mailed to:

Birmingham Fire Fighters Local 117 Relief Fund
P.O. Box 190065
Birmingham, AL 35219-0065

Meanwhile IAFF fire fighters and paramedics were the first to respond to the aftermath of the tornadoes. Since then, they have been working tirelessly in the search, recovery and rescue efforts in their communities.

Officials at the National Weather Service said they received 137 tornado reports on Wednesday, with 104 of them coming from Alabama and Mississippi. Over all, there have been 297 confirmed tornadoes this month, breaking a 36-year-old record.