New Orleans Fire Department has been doing a good job. For a brief period after the storm New York and other firefighters joined NOFD in the fight. Fire fighting helicopters stayed in the city until July 1, 2006. We'll see whether it was wise to remove them right before the July 4 weekend.

By the way the NOFD has a $127 million judgement against the city for back pay since 2004.

One year after the storm the NOFD is still in the news. No raises for fireman, short staffing, low morale and crumbling, flamable housing stock across damaged parts of the city is creating a dangerous situation. With 651 firefighters on the payroll, NOFD is 80 below its preK manpower. Many companies are now responding shorthanded.

Multiple alarm fires are on the increase. One explanation is that in unpopulated areas fires are burning longer before they are noticed and reported.