The Biloxi Fire Department this week is helping gather supplies and funds for Hurricane Michael victims, honoring its three fallen firefighters, and hosting a benefit fish fry before hosting the Fireman’s Day Parade on Saturday.
The department is taking part in a weeklong Coastwide relief effort, where residents can drop off supplies at any local fire station. The items must be dropped by Friday and may include: gift cards for Wal-Mart, Visa, Home Depot, Lowes; tire repair kits, Fix-a-Flat; bottled water; Gatorade; Pedialyte; flavor packs for waters; lighter and matches; batteries and flashlights; phone and car chargers for iPhone and Android; power strips; hair clippers; baby wipes, diapers and toiletries; bug spray; cleaning supplies; and Advil, Aleve or Tylenol. No clothes are being accepted.
The department will host a graveside memorial service in honor of fallen firefighters Kurt Jacquet, Carl Ohr and Anthony Bernard Rousseau on Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the burial sites in Biloxi City Cemetery, followed by a ceremony at Southern Memorial Park off U.S. 90.
All three firefighters were killed in the line of duty. Jacquet and Ohr died fighting a house fire. Rousseau, who was a member of the volunteer portion of the Biloxi Fire Department, died on March 14, 1951, after he was crushed by a fire truck responding to a call. His name was recently placed on the roll call of firefighters maintained by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
The West End Hose Company, the city’s all-volunteer fire museum, will host the fish fry Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum, at 1046 Howard Ave. The $8 plates include fish, potato salad, baked beans and bread. Drinks and desserts also will be available. Those interested can dine in or pick up. Advance orders can be taken on Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 435-6200.
Then, on Saturday, it’s the Fireman’s Day Parade. As many as two dozen fire trucks – big and small, red and yellow, and all with sirens and flashing lights – will parade beginning at 11 a.m. from MLK at Main, travel west on MLK Boulevard, west on Howard and end at the West End Hose Co. No. 3, the city’s fire museum, where a gathering will be held.
See background on the memorial service
See your invitation to the fish fry
See the parade route
News & notes: Week that was, council preview, last call
The week that was: Firefighters responded to more than a hundred medical emergencies last week, while police officers handled more than 2,000 calls for service, and the Community Development Department issued $3.48 million in permits. The city’s Engineering Department, meantime, has the status on a host of projects citywide. To see the Weekly Report, click here.
Council preview:Zoning issues, board appointments, renewing the contract of a city lobbyist, and a taxing issue that would impact Biloxi residents in Woolmarket and Eagle Point are among the three dozen issues on the agenda when the City Council meets this afternoon at 1:30. To see the agenda and supporting documents, click here.
Last call: Thursday is the deadline to reserve your tickets for the roast of Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich. The Biloxi First fund-raising dinner takes place on Nov. 1 at the IP Resort. To read more about the event and how you can get your seats, click here.
