? An East Rockaway fire company is helping firefighters, who were struck by Hurricane Katrina, get back to the business of saving lives.

The Long Island fire department turned over the keys Monday to a refurbished hook and ladder truck to a storm-damaged firehouse in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Fire Lieutenant Mark Zitterkopf says his crew appreciates the gesture because the department has to pay about $1,500 per person to replace lost equipment.

Katrina destroyed up to 80 percent of the town?s businesses and homes, leaving the small population of 8,900 even smaller.

Zitterkopf is eager to return to Mississippi and says the gift from Long Island is proof that not everyone has forgotten about Katrina?s victims.