During Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing aftermath of floods caused by failed levees, St. Bernard Parish suffered some of the worst damage. The rescue of over 6,000 stranded, injured, and defenseless residents proved dangerous, traumatic, and lonely for the parish fire department. Firemen would quickly learn their roles were diverse and demanding, and they would find little help from outside sources. Acting as EMTs, rescue and recovery, mechanics, social workers, and providers for parish residents, they had to ignore their own losses and heartaches for days in order to save as many lives as they could, alone.