Mutual Aid to Hurricane Sandy

[JetPhoto 626]

East Fishkill 39-15 leaving Sunday morning

Sandy recovery team includes NY troopers from Ulster and Greene counties

Fifteen state troopers from Ulster and Greene counties are among the law-enforcement personnel who have gone to the New York City area to help residents there deal with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2012/11/03/news/doc50957afc1f2e2651058287.txt

[grumpyff 1,159]

just passed East Fishkill and Union Vale on I 684 in Bedford. thank you guys stay safe

[JetPhoto 626]

As of Friday, firefighters from five more Orange County departments had joined colleagues from Unionville, Woodbury, Winona Lake and Greenwood Lake to help out in Long Island

Vails Gate, West Point, Walden, Bullville and Mechanicstown have sent firefighters, and the county also sent a deputy fire coordinator

[eric12401 77]

Ulster County just put out an announcment checking for available resources for possible deployment.

An engine w/minimum of 4 interior certified FF's or;

A tanker/heavy rescue/storm emergency fire unit.

Edited November 4, 2012 by eric12401

[firedude 985]

From the Vermont State Police:

We will be deploying 11 troopers to New Jersey to provide law enforcement assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The VSP convoy will leave from the Williston Barracks tomorrow, November 4, 2012 at 9AM for a seven day deployment.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/VermontStatePolice?fref=ts

[Noah Gladstone 2]

60 firefighters from Philadelphia as part of PA Task Force I USAR

[helicopper 1,050]

On the incident management front:

NYS IMT2 - Nassau County

FDNY IMT2 - NYC

FEMA Region 2 IMAT - Albany (State EOC)

FEMA Red - NJ (red, white and blue are FEMA national teams)

FEMA White - NJ

FEMA Blue - NYC

FEMA Region 4 (two teams), 9, and 10 all operating in NY.

FEMA Region 7 in NJ

FEMA Region 8 in CT

NIMO teams are also on the ground in NY and NJ supporting management efforts. Additional type 3 teams are in the metro area or enroute to add depth to the management organizations already established or being established. For perspective, there are currently multiple type 1 incidents ongoing in the NYC metropolitan area. There are tens of thousands of individual "responders" in thousands of resources operating across the tri-state area and down the east coast. This is, by far, the largest and most complex incident in this area in modern history.

On the USAR front:

Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee and Virginia TF-2 FEMA USAR task forces operating in NY.

Virginia TF-1 and Ohio FEMA USAR task forces operating in NJ.

Situational Snapshots:

Long Beach Island, NJ - Gas leaks prompted the gas company to shut off the gas to the entire system, likely resulting in a total loss of the system and requiring a massive infrastructure rebuild.

Shelter populations spiked in NYS yesterday, probably due to the falling temperatures. There are about 10,000 people seeking shelter in NY and more than 6,000 in NJ.

"Every time we clear one problem, we find another that had been unreported"

[everybodygoes 331]

For everyone going, bring work gloves, boots and water and food, don't rely on it being there. Take as many shovels as you can and n95 masks and halligans, don't just go to say you were there. Help out rip some sheet rock, dig some sand. It's he'll for everyone out there.

[BFD1054 1,552]

I just got home from being deployed to Nassau County. We (Vails Gate FD) left with E478 for a 72 hour deployment on Thursday morning.

We arrived at the EOC in Westbury around noon on Thursday and were quickly sent to the Point Lookout-Lido Fire department on the eastern border of Long Beach.

The PLLFD lost much of its equipment out of their 2nd station where we were operating out of. At the height of the storm, there was 3-4 feet of water that came into the apparatus bays. Their members were very pleased to see us as they had been operating nonstop since the onset of the storm. Many of their members had personally lost almost everything they own from clothes to cars to their homes. They were in the best of spirits as they could be and welcomed us with open arms. The entire experience was a great example of the brotherhood to say the least.

Our main objective was to cover calls for them in their district. During our deployment we ran everything from EMS to a car fire, chimney fire and a number of CO alarms.

During our deployment, we were without running water (showers) and obviously no power. We were using bottled water to wash up the best we could as well as to drink. There was no heat in the firehouse, so we layered up and used as many blankets as possible.

That said, and as other have said, be prepared if/when you are deployed. Bring plenty of clean socks (long socks), underwear and warm clothes. I would also recommend a sleeping bag, pillow and some blankets.

We were relieved on Sunday by a rescue pumper and crew from Gansevoort, NY around noon.

Vails Gate will be deploying again tomorrow at 6am with Truck484 and a full crew. No word on where they are going yet.

To all those who have been affected by Sandy and to all first responder's and volunteers, stay safe and god bless!

I have some pictures and may share some and more info when i get more time. For now, i'm going to enjoy some rest.

*I will reiterate what Chris (helicopper) has said; these deployments are for 72 hours, not 12 or 24 hours. With that said, be prepared to be there for the entire 72 hours! Make sure your employers (for vols) are well aware of your plans, as well as your families.

Make sure that you are properly packed with the items we have mentioned.

Also, cellular phone service was shotty to say the least, so keep that in mind. Your loved ones may not be able to get a hold of you if need be.

Edited November 5, 2012 by BFD1054

[FDVA356 23]

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.

AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD

"Protecting Those Who Served"

[wedgeclose 59]

OFD to the rescue.............."thanks for volunteering guys"

[spin_the_wheel 460]

A quick thanks to all the mutual aid companies coming to the island. You know the old saying..it's not a matter of "if" its a matter of "when", well for many in NJ and NY along the shore lines "when" came on October 29th. Areas have been decimated and will never be the same.

A few quick pics from the EOC in Westbury at Nassau Fire communications. Oh and by the way the "Keep Calm and Carry On" sign was in place months before the storm came in! Also any emt bravo members who make it into the Comm area ask for Mike Capo. Be Safe out there guys.

[BFD1054 1,552]

Vails Gate Truck484 left around 6am and arrived at the EOC in Westbury around 8-8:30.

They have since been detailed to the Oceanside FD. Members have said that they have power and conditions aren't too bad.

[peterose313 345]

Just heard Harrison and Yorktown went down. Yorktown arrived this morning.

Vails Gate Truck484 left around 6am and arrived at the EOC in Westbury around 8-8:30.

They have since been detailed to the Oceanside FD. Members have said that they have power and conditions aren't too bad.

That's where Ossining was, they just got back into town. They lost a few trucks and 2 houses. While down there, Ladder 41 worked 6 structure fires from what I was told by some members.

[vegasbuff 1]

MA Task Force 1 USAR is/was down there in Rockaway:

http://www.youtube.com/user/satellitenewsservice

[JFLYNN 681]

Yonkers Fire has a ladder company (Spare L-78) with a full crew (Officer and 3 FF) plus a Battalion Chief and Aide in Nassau, I believe in Baldwin. They are returning tomorrow at 0800 after a 72 hour deployment.

YFD Mobile Command has been in Citi Field, with 2 of our SOC members, for the last several days. It is expected to be there for a long time. It is being heavily utilized by various OEM / FEMA, etc.

We also have a Haz-Mat Task Force operating in Suffolk County out of the Islip Airport alongside a career FD Haz-Mat team there.It consists of 2 YFD Battalion Chiefs, and approximately 4 YFD Company Officers, and 15 or so YFD Firefighters, as well as 1 Officer and 3 Firefighters from Hartsdale Fire, and 1 Officer and 6 Firefighters from Greenville Fire. All or most of these members have been trained to the Haz-Mat Tech level, and some to Haz-Mat Specialist level.They finish their 72 hours tomorrow evening I believe. They have been doing a very significant amount of work, the details of which I do not have. Suffice to say that local opinion has been very positive and they have been requested to extend their deployment for at least 72 more hours.

However, in light of the coming Nor-Easter, our exhausted personnel as a result of the Hurricane Sandy mitigation- preparation- response, and recovery efforts in Yonkers, and the recovery work on Long Island, and our very undermanned department (40+ members under authorized strength due to a delayed class hiring), we have declined the request to extend the Haz Mat Task Force deployment. We will see what effect the coming storm has, and if still requested, and able, we will redeploy another Haz Mat Group.

This is a horrible situation for so many, but it is nice to see how readily most First Responders as well civilians give of their time, effort, and money to attempt to ease the suffering and return us all to some sense of normalcy.

Once again, I could not be more proud of my YFD brothers, many of whom suffered damage to their own homes, as well as extended loss of electricity, yet continued to rise to the challenge and performed admirably during the many events of this last week.

[conman 40]

Ulster Hose is sending a tower ladder with a crew of 7 tomorrow.

[BFD1054 1,552]

Vails Gate E478 and M483 IFO the Point Lookout-Lido Firehouse

PLLFD Fire Police van, VGFD E478 and a Matagorda County Texas Ambulance ready for action.

Our home away from home for 72 hours.

VGFD M483 surveying damage at the beach directly across from the Point Lookout-Lido Firehouse.

New York State DEC Police at a Hess station in Long Beach...tensions were very high.

Credit of this picture collage goes to Lt. Oates, VGFD. It shows members of the Vails Gate and Point Lookout-Lido FD's, as well as the aftermath of a car fire w/extension as well as the damage in Long Beach.

Edited November 6, 2012 by BFD1054

[vodoly 535]

keep up the good work

[Tanker 10eng 140]

^{question to those who went down, what is the process for fueling up the rigs ??? do the local depts have a means up and running ?}

[firemoose827 324]

^{question to those who went down, what is the process for fueling up the rigs ??? do the local depts have a means up and running ?}

I went down as part of a team assembled with the state, consisting of fire safety reps, safety officers, and physical plant people, and we were all on fumes until we finaly found another state agency (parks) able to assist us...THANK YOU PARKS!!!! Without you all of us would have been without transportation and all of the generators we deployed would have died.

Lines for gas stations were in some cases a mile long, with police standing by to keep the peace.

I went down for four days, and put in 16 hour days, and saw a lot of devastation, but on the same token saw a lot of humanity at its finest. God bless all who are responding down there now, stay safe and come home soon. I will probably be going back again depending on what this Nor'easter does. I even got a nice going home present on Sunday evening...I arrived at a one car MVA rollover on the thruway with 4 patients that must have just happened before my arrival. Everyone was out but I triaged them and gave the report to the first arriving chief...trouble has a nack of following me...

Stay safe everyone.

[Danger 160]

^{question to those who went down, what is the process for fueling up the rigs ??? do the local depts have a means up and running ?}

We fueled up at Nassau County DPW in Westbury.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services put out a notice to all EMS Chiefs of Service requesting ambulances through an IMAC (Interstate Mutual Aid Compact) agreement to send ambulances to New Jersey.

[eric12401 77]

From the Esopus Fire Department Page (Ulster County);

"This morning Esopus Fire engine 27-10 relocated to Nassau County in Long Island along with Highland, New Paltz, Modena, and Ulster Hose to be part of the standby task force and provide emergency services. Join me in wishing 3rd Lt Frank Banks , Firefighter Travis Floyd, Firefighter Brian Micheal Parr, and Firefighter Randi Jacquelin Port a safe trip and tour during their time in Long Island."

Esopus 27-10 is stationed at the Inwood Fire Company.

Edited November 7, 2012 by eric12401

[helicopper 1,050]

Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services put out a notice to all EMS Chiefs of Service requesting ambulances through an IMAC (Interstate Mutual Aid Compact) agreement to send ambulances to New Jersey.

Is that IMAC or EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact)?

[SageVigiles 1,194]

You know, I thought that sounded weird as I typed it. Where I read about it it was written IMAC but I think they did mean EMAC...

[spin_the_wheel 460]

We fueled up at Nassau County DPW in Westbury.

Before rigs are sent home they check back in at the EOC in Westbury and their rigs fuel is topped off at DPW.

[x129K 1,393]

Maybe it's just me, but looking at different media sources, mostly social media, it appears that some covering companies are using their time "down south" as more of a photo op than anything else...

I know a few of the very first guys who went down without hesitation, and their hearts were truly in it...but some others I see really make me shake my head..

Again, maybe it's just me...

*edit.

I was not referring to any of the pics posted here...FYI.

[huzzie59 75]

Maybe it's just me, but looking at different media sources, mostly social media, it appears that some covering companies are using their time "down south" as more of a photo op than anything else...

I know a few of the very first guys who went down without hesitation, and their hearts were truly in it...but some others I see really make me shake my head..

Again, maybe it's just me...

*edit.

I was not referring to any of the pics posted here...FYI.

If photos are the payment received for going, does it matter? Take pictures, have as good a time as possible while there. I'm sure when the alarms come in the cameras are put away.

[Danger 160]

Maybe it's just me, but looking at different media sources, mostly social media, it appears that some covering companies are using their time "down south" as more of a photo op than anything else...

I know a few of the very first guys who went down without hesitation, and their hearts were truly in it...but some others I see really make me shake my head..

Again, maybe it's just me...

*edit.

I was not referring to any of the pics posted here...FYI.

We went down without hesitation, slept on cots, sat in the dark, ate PB&J for four days, cleaned the firehouses, ran many calls. I took a bunch of pictures. There was damage that hasn't been seen in many years, if ever and going down and being able to help was an honor and a privilege that I'll never forget. I took the photos to remember it. The firefighters and residents were extremely grateful to see us and took pictures with us.