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by TONY SCLAFANI
The city's Bravest went to New Orleans to fight fires, but ended up rebuilding lives in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast - one house at a time.
About 130 city firefighters returned home yesterday after devoting 10 days to patching up the flooded homes of scores of emergency workers in New Orleans.
"It was incredibly satisfying to help them and their families start to rebuild their homes," said Tom Donnelly, 39, of Manhattan Rescue 1. "The destruction was overwhelming when you see it."
Under military escort, the firefighters tossed tarps over roofs, nailed planks over shattered windows, emptied refrigerators and hauled away fallen trees.
"To see the tears in their eyes after they see someone caring for them, it's pretty rewarding," Brooklyn Borough Commander Edward Kilduff, 55, told the Daily News.
The firefighters, who worked in 16-hour and 24-hour shifts on disaster duty, repaired houses during their time off. About 70 wrecked homes were fixed, including houses owned by the New Orleans fire superintendent and the police chief.
Joined by Illinois firefighters, the Bravest also cleaned out and repaired damaged firehouses, many of which will reopen today, officials said.
"When we got down there, they had that Trade Center look on them. They were stretched too thin, too far," said Bill Murphy, 40, of Rescue 4 in Queens.
"I can't complain at all. You kind of want to give back [after 9/11]," said Murphy, a 14-year veteran. "We take care of our own people. New York doesn't forget."
The Firefighters ate Meals Ready to Eat and slept on cots at the Our Lady of the Holy Cross College in New Orleans, a makeshift command center for the city's fire department, where 800 rescuers also are based.
The New York firefighters will be replaced by 265 Bravest who began arriving in New Orleans last night.
Despite the harsh conditions, some firefighters who volunteered for the assignment said they didn't want to come back to New York yet. They said they know the people they're helping are grateful.
"You don't have to even speak to each other," Donnelly said. "The first day we got here, you just look in their eyes and they said, 'Thanks for coming.'"
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