You can't fight the fire, but you can help families rise from the ashes

Kudos to state Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), who presented $650 in contributions to the Fire Victims' Fund, and to Harry Carey of AT&T, who presented a $2,000 check to the fund at a ceremony held Tuesday at the Volk Central Fire Station in Norwalk.

Michele Deluca, deputy director, emergency management, Norwalk Fire Department, explained that the fire department started collecting gift cards after a large fire tore through several apartments on West Avenue on Dec. 26, 2008.

Once the department donated all the cards, though, it was very difficult to get more. Since then, there have been other families who couldn't receive help even though their need was apparent because of the lack of additional resources.

The gas explosion that destroyed a house on Ohio Ave Extension on Dec. 22, 2009, really highlighted the need to further develop a Fire Victims' Fund. In 2009, there were eight incidents that displaced 39 residents from 11 single-family homes or apartments, according to Deluca.

"While many were able to return home within a few days, others were permanently displaced," Deluca said.

The funds Duff presented were raised as a result of the holiday open house at his household on Dec. 20. Duff said it was the first time his family hosted such an event, which also collected toys and food for local charities, and helped support the Police Union.

Duff felt compelled to donate to the Police Union and the Fire Victims' Fund because of the generosity of the Norwalk Fire and Police Departments, who helped ensure the open house event went smoothly.

Deluca said the new Fire Victims' Fund will allow the fire department to have some cards available and also a reserve so it can purchase more as needed. She is hoping to work with more private sector partners to increase the reserve in the future.

According ro Fire Chief Denis McCarthy, in minutes, a devastating house fire can leave a family without a home, clothes or any personal belongings. After the fire is extinguished, the family is left to pick up the pieces and start over again while dealing with the stress and trauma of this personal disaster. What took a lifetime to create, takes minutes to destroy and months to rebuild.

After the fire trucks leave, the Norwalk Fire Department continues to work with the residents impacted by fires. In the days and weeks after the fire, the Fire Marshal's office provides information and reports that residents and insurers require and the Department's Office of Emergency Management provides recovery information and referrals to community organizations for assistance, health and mental health providers and to the Red Cross for two to three days of assistance with shelter, food and clothing.

For residents who lose most of their belongings, additional assistance is needed to help these residents meet their basic needs. For residents without family support, insurance or those who were living one paycheck away from financial ruin, a fire can be even more devastating since they have fewer resources to rebuild their lives.

Gift Cards made possible through the Fire Victims' Fund will be used to purchase food, clothing and other basic needs and would augment the limited financial assistance the American Red Cross can provide. The disbursement of all funds will be accurately maintained by the Office of Emergency Management and will be available for examination at any time.

If a single mother can buy baby supplies and formula for her young child, an extra set of clothes and two days of groceries with gift cards from the Fire Victims' Fund, this is money she can save for other necessary purchases.

Like McCarthy, we hope community members will make a donation of any size to the Fire Victim's Fund and help other families recover and rebuild.

When the community recently rallied together and donated gift cards, financial contributions and other items to help make the holidays of the Wulffleff family displaced by the gas explosion a little brighter, it made a big difference (see the family's thank you letter below).

If residents or businesses want to add to the fund, they can send donations of gift cards or other financial contributions to the Norwalk Fire Dept- OEM -- 121 Connecticut Ave. 06854.