Several members of the 17 fire departments in Orange County, New York that sent volunteers to Long Island to assist after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation recently spoke of their experiences.
Several members of the 17 fire departments in Orange County that sent volunteers to Long Island to assist after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation, Tuesday talked of their experiences while lending a helping hand.
Bullville Fire Department Lt. Katie Judson found it rewarding to assist in the recovery effort in Oceanside. “The guys down there were really grateful to have us there,” Judson said. “They had been running nonstop since the storm. They were definitely glad to have us and help relieve them.”
Firefighter Wayne Watkins is a member of the Unionville Fire Department, who spent time helping out in East Rockaway, Long Island.“Some people were in shelters and they were crying; they wanted to go back home”, Watkins said. “They go back home and they couldn’t stay there because there was no heat and there was no power.”
Winona Lake Fire Chief Andrew Colurciello spent time assisting in Baldwin.“The pictures you see on TV don’t do any justice when you see them in person. It was heart-wrenching to see people upset, their houses and boats and worldly possession being completely destroyed or not there at all,” Colurciello said. The session was called by Orange County Executive Edward Diana and Deputy Commissioner for Fire Services Vini Tankasali.
