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IFMA Members Lend A Hand to New Orleans While In Town
IFMA's World Workplace takes place every year in October. At the conclusion of the normal three day whirlwind of educational seminars, trade show, receptions, and networking, attendees usually head home. This past October was different. As a result of World Workplace 2007 being held in New Orleans, LA, the IFMA Foundation spearheaded an effort to spend an extra day in New Orleans with IFMA volunteers working on Katrina clean-up.
And oh what a day it was! The IFMA Foundation arranged for us to work on New Orleans' Fire Houses that had not re-opened since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The fire houses had suffered wind damage during the hurricane and were suffering from serious neglect. We gathered at the Convention Center and were divided into groups to best cover fire houses of different sizes. The New Orleans Fire Chief met us at the Convention Center, spoke about the task at hand, and presented the IFMA Foundation with a proclamation.
Then it was off to the fire houses! MaryAnne Conine and I, along with 45 IFMA colleagues, were privileged to head to historic Algiers Point and the largest fire house in need of work. Once we arrived, we heard from the fire chief of this particular fire house (Engine 45). Some individuals whose homes hadn't yet been restored were actually living at the fire house. We divided ourselves up again based on our painting skills. (E.g., Have you painted your own home? Do you know how to cut in? How much painting experience have you had?).
This was a multi-level fire house with a large parking garage area, kitchen, large room, bathrooms, and bedroom for the chief. Suffice it to say, the fire house was in real need of some TLC. We divided into teams for various rooms and set to work. We began scrubbing walls, sanding, and cleaning medicine cabinets in the bathroom. Some of us were climbing ladders to reach high ceilings, and others were kneeling on the floor to paint the trim, doors, etc. While working, we were talking with our colleagues from other chapters across the county, comparing experiences, sharing insight on successful programs, and just enjoying each other and what we were giving back to this community on this particular day.
We put in a full day's work with a very short lunch break. Although we did not complete the painting, we left the fire house in much better condition, and ready for the job to be completed. We were all pleased that we had the opportunity to give something back, and who better to work on a facility than facility managers?!
by Harriet McGraw
