Firefighters, Elk City, Oklahoma
©2003 Text Peter Hossli, Photos: Charly Kurz / Lookat
They are as important as the soldiers at the front. Instead of uniforms they wear fire resistant overalls: The firefighters CUDD Pressure Control Company, who extinguish blazing oil fields for Dollars.
They are training for a defining mission in Iraq. More than 1500 oil wells might burn - with catastrophic results for the environment and the economy.
Worldwide, only 100 people are able to get the oil field fires under control. Since earlier this year, they have been negotiating highly unusual payment and security terms with the US government. "As long as bullets are still flying, we will not go in", says firefighter Ronnie Roles. He expects the US military to protect them. "The wells we fix will produce the money we earn", he adds. The oilfield firefighters earn quite a bit; around $15,000 per day. They are ready to go.
The complete text and individuals interviews by Peter Hossli are available on request.
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