Here is a blurb from one of my coworkers currently in New Orleans. Our normal day starts around 04:30 and ends anywhere from 01:30 to 03:30 (short nights). And if you get in line before the army arrives (and I literally mean the real army - with their weapons) then you can get a good breakfast (if you don't already have something pressing to do). Lunches are usually box style and dinner tends to be good if you make the "line" in time.
People here are very friendly. The firefighters of New Orleans are polite and pleasant even though many of them have lost everything. Fewer than half of there stations are open and they also have far less than half of their rigs in service. Many firefighters and police have simply quit; walking away from their jobs or taking early retirement. Initially, the environment in the city was a bit apocolyptic. Many of the stories in the media are exaggerated. However, some areas are what we call "No-Go" areas because of the armed looters. All of our task forces are accompanied by fully armed military personnel (around 10 or more) and state police officers when they go out on search details. Got to go now because its "lights out" and 02:17. Ken
