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First Responders Thread for Hurricane Sandy


IsentropicLift

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On Wednesday the 31st I was deployed with my fire company as Morris County task force #1 down to Toms River, NJ. For those famililar with the area, we left Morristown shortly after 1PM and after a stop at the ACME food store for supplies, we headed down the Garden State Parkway to Exit 82A. The damage on the Parkway itself was minimal. Lots of downed trees a long the side of the road and damage to a golf course on the south bound side near Exit 120.

Our first stop was at the shopping center on Rt. 37 in Toms River. You can see it from the Parkway. There we met up with another task force and we waited for further directions. Shortly after 4PM we were told that we were being deployed over the bridge into the Seaside area. Specifically to the Ocean Beach section of Toms River.

When we got over the bridge we were all shocked at how extensive the damage was. Besides the obvious structure damage and boats that had been tossed around there was a mixture of sand, mud, sewage and oil everywhere.

We arrived at the Ocean Beach firehouse (Toms River Co#3) shortly after dark and met up with guys that had stayed there throughout the storm. They had decided to keep a small crew on standbye until Monday morning, and unfortunatly when they attempted to leave, the conditions were already so bad that they could not get off the island and wound up riding out the storm in the firehouse one block off the beach. Luckily, they only had about 6" of water in the firehouse itself.

The first thing the Chief told us was that we were not to respond to any calls without police protection. In addition to looting from locals that had ridden out the storm on the island, we were told that looters were coming to the island at night by boat dressed in black and carrying weapons. We were then told that the area was under Martial Law. The police were told that anybody that refused to stop should be shot, and that they were to shoot to kill. Around 10pm or so the police came and we went out to investiage the report of several gas leaks in the area. What we found was that in almost every instance, homes had been shifted off there foundations and the gas line had been damaged. In a few cases we found main lines in the ground that had been broken and the gas was simply pouring out of the ground. The situation was dangerous to say the least. We shut off the gas where we could and left the rest to the gas companies.

Even though I didn't personally respond to any reports of fire, there were fires burning in various spots throughout the island and even on the mainland. I was told by one of the firefighters down there that they had lost an estimated 150 homes as of Wednesday night.

The way the houses a long the beach were piled ontop of each other was quite a site to see. Million dollar homes completely washed a way in some cases, and in others simply pushed into each other.

Perhaps the oddest thing about everything was the fact that we would walk down one street and there was little to no damage and then we would get to the next block and the houses were just gone.

Later that night it was determined that where we were staying was not safe. We had no power and no running water and we were relocated to Sea Side Heights firehouse. For those that don't know, it's about three blocks off the boardwalk directly in the area where the pier collapsed. Even though they didn't have any heat in the building or running water, they at least had a generator running and we were able to have lighting. It was there that we met up with Morris County Task force #2.

For the next day and a half we helped out where we could. We responed to several calls, helped evacuate and treat a few survivors and shut off the gas lines to most of the island. By the time we were releaved by a task force out of Cape May County on Friday morning we were all more than ready to go home. Even though most of us still didn't have power at home, we would be going home to a place that had running water and all of the other things in life that we have come to take for granted.

As for the guys down in Seaside, we developed a bond and a friendship that will last a lifetime. They were so greatful for our response. When the call came in, we did not hesitate, we just responded. That is what the brotherhood is all about.

The one thing that stood out in my head was the lack of FEMA and the Red Cross. In 48 hours on the island we didn't see the red cross or FEMA once. Maybe they had assumed that everyone had gotten out, and those that didn't had perished, that wasn't the case.

I was able to get a few pictures and I will post some of them over the next several days for those that want to see them.

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I am the chief of EMS for a southern Bergen county new jersey EMS agency in New Jersey, We where able to assist the NJ EMS task force on Sunday evening with the evacuation of Hoboken Medical Center but otherwise kept our resources here in town to handle the storm.

I know that out of state ambulances where also requested and staged in Gloucester county New Jersey per the NJ EMS Task Force. We had no storm related injures but there where numerous request to assist residents with oxygen once there power went out. We increased our manpower to assist plus added an EMS supervisor to cover for the rest of the week, We are a part paid and part volunteer department and both agencies worked very well together.

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I am the chief of EMS for a southern Bergen county new jersey EMS agency in New Jersey, We where able to assist the NJ EMS task force on Sunday evening with the evacuation of Hoboken Medical Center but otherwise kept our resources here in town to handle the storm.

I know that out of state ambulances where also requested and staged in Gloucester county New Jersey per the NJ EMS Task Force. We had no storm related injures but there where numerous request to assist residents with oxygen once there power went out. We increased our manpower to assist plus added an EMS supervisor to cover for the rest of the week, We are a part paid and part volunteer department and both agencies worked very well together.

We had our share of mutual aid in the city as well.. Im a FDNY Paramedic stationed in the BX and I saw quite a few units from upstate as well as the midwest..

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bad fire in jersey city right now. Mayday issued, and apparently fox had video of them carrying a ff out.

I imagine its storm related somehow. To all my fellow brothers out there, stay safe.

Multiple alarms going to work.

Man I will never get the smell of smoke & constant urgents coming over fdny scanner during sandy. It was like war fire after fire multiple alarms even the day after sandy. Mostly electrical to

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My fire department ran hundreds of calls for service. Calls included utility emergencies, trees into homes, and structure fires. At 6am on Tuesday morning our water rescue team and boat was requested in Little Ferry for the flooding situation. Myself and four others responded, in total we made hundreds of rescues. The whole experience was sureal. Monday evening the winds were so strong it was scary being outside. Probably something I will never experience again in my life or ever forget.

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FYI! All of us city employees have our own gas line in NYC, just show your city employee id, shield etc

Thats hit or miss bro.. Supposedly IAB received a ton of complaints for PD allowing it so they are kinda stopping it. Its ridiculous cause if we can't get to work then who provides public safety ??

EDIT: And its not all city employees.. Its NYPD, FDNY EMS, FDNY Supression

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