This article is over 6 years old

Houston Matters

Union Says Houston Firefighters Are Underprepared For Flood Rescues

We meet a family who needed rescuing during the 2015 Memorial Day flood and learn why local officials say they need more training to help people like them.

| Posted on (Last Updated: )

Share

Email
Andy Claridge, 44, bought life vests for his entire family, after HFD's rescue raft didn't have children's vests during the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. Photo: Allison Lee/News 88.7

As News 88.7 has been reporting, heavy rains overnight created many flooded roadways around Greater Houston this morning, and more rain could hit the area tonight.

Allison Lee
Michael Hagerty
News 88.7 senior producer Allison Lee talks on Houston Matters about training for flood rescues in Houston.

Meanwhile, fire officials say they’ve conducted about two-dozen water rescues today, mostly pulling drivers from their stranded cars. But, as Houston Public Media has been reporting, the local firefighters union is concerned about the lack of proper training firefighters receive for such rescue operations.

News 88.7 senior producer Allison Lee joins us to explain what the firefighters union says its membfers are having to do to improvise some self-training. And she introduces us to a Houston family who experienced firsthand what an underprepared HFD flood rescue is like.

  • The Claridges say most of their living room furniture is now stored off-site, until they can get their home elevated. // Photo Credit: The Claridge Family
    The Claridges say most of their living room furniture is now stored off-site, until they can get their home elevated. // Photo Credit: The Claridge Family
  • This is the view from the Claridges' porch, during the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. (Photo Credit: Photo Credit: The Claridge family)
    This is the view from the Claridges' porch, during the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. (Photo Credit: Photo Credit: The Claridge family)
  • The Claridge home has been flooded twice. // Photo Credit: The Claridge Family
    The Claridge home has been flooded twice. // Photo Credit: The Claridge Family
  • andy Claridge, 44, bought life vests for his entire family, after HFD’s rescue raft didn’t have children’s vests during the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
    andy Claridge, 44, bought life vests for his entire family, after HFD’s rescue raft didn’t have children’s vests during the Memorial Day Flood of 2015. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
  • The Claridges surrendered to the attic, after over three feet of water came into their home in 2015. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
    The Claridges surrendered to the attic, after over three feet of water came into their home in 2015. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
  • The Claridges bought a metal bunk bed, to be more water resistant. They tell me no one is allowed to sleep in the bottom bunk, unless they first checked the weather forecast. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
    The Claridges bought a metal bunk bed, to be more water resistant. They tell me no one is allowed to sleep in the bottom bunk, unless they first checked the weather forecast. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
  • Jennifer Claridge, 45, says they ordered risers to keep their bed at a safer level, in case of future flooding. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
    Jennifer Claridge, 45, says they ordered risers to keep their bed at a safer level, in case of future flooding. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
  • Jennifer Claridge, 45, says they ordered risers to keep their bed at a safer level, in case of future flooding. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
    Jennifer Claridge, 45, says they ordered risers to keep their bed at a safer level, in case of future flooding. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
  • The Claridges bought a metal bunk bed, to be more water resistant. They tell me no one is allowed to sleep in the bottom bunk, unless they first checked the weather forecast. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
    The Claridges bought a metal bunk bed, to be more water resistant. They tell me no one is allowed to sleep in the bottom bunk, unless they first checked the weather forecast. // Photo Credit: Allison Lee
  • Marty Lancton, president of The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, says the firefighters have been pushing for adequate rescue training for years. (Photo Credit: Allison Lee)
    Marty Lancton, president of The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, says the firefighters have been pushing for adequate rescue training for years. (Photo Credit: Allison Lee)