To the rescue
Local firefighters help flooded southern counties



ALBANY COUNTY — During last month’s damaging downstate floods, the Guilderland and Berne fire departments answered the state-wide call for emergency aid. Floods devastated Delaware and Broome counties in June, overwhelming emergency crews there and leaving hundreds with damaged or completely ruined homes.
"If the same thing happened here we would have no hesitation in putting out the call," said Berne Fire Commissioner Mary Alice Molgard. "That’s the nature of fire fighting. When you put out a call, everyone responds. That’s just how it works."

Rodger Stone, Guilderland’s code enforcer and a member of the Guilderland Center Fire Department, shared some of his experiences with The Enterprise.

Stone went on two different trips to both Conklin in Broome County and Delhi and Walton in Delaware County. Three members from the Guilderland Center Fire Department met up with East Berne firefighters in Delaware County and two members each from the Guilderland Center, Guilderland, Westmere, and Fort Hunter fire departments went south to Broome County to help with flood emergencies there.
"We pulled into Walton at eight or nine o’clock and Main Street was under four feet of water," said Stone.

The Guilderland volunteers spent four days in Broome County for emergency medical service calls and stabilization, said Stone, recalling the Conklin floods.
"That place was like a mini Katrina," said Stone. "Hundreds and hundreds of homes will never be habitable again." Stone added some homes had exploded because of gas leaks.

Stone said initial damage estimates for the area were in excess of $200 million, but that number is much higher now, adding that it could take months before sewer and water hookups are restored.

The Broome County flooding was a result of the Susquehanna River overflowing, said Stone, with water rising in some places above two- and three- story buildings.
"Boy, they needed the help and still need the help," said Stone. "I wish I had more time so I could go back down there and help out some more."

Deployed from Berne

Molgard, told The Enterprise that the East Berne Fire Department sent a pumper-truck to Delaware County along with six East Berne volunteers — Chief Scott Duncan; Assistant Chief Ben Furman; Captain Ron Sprung; and firefighters Justin Crosier, Lee Harnnett, and Jason Smith.

Area volunteers met in Albany before deploying to the emergency areas, said Molgard.
"These fellows"They could’ve responded to any type of call in the area. They’re very talented," Molgard said, explaining that several of the firefighters also double as emergency medical technicians in Berne.

The way local fire crews are notified, explained Molgard, is, after an emergency-stricken area sends out a call for aid to the state, the state contacts individual counties which then send out for area volunteers.
"It filters through state and county levels before it reaches the locals," said Molgard. "The area in emergency usually calls the state"Then there is a local call out"It only happens when there’s a major disaster."

This is done so as not to drain one particular area of manpower and equipment, said Molgard. On a strictly volunteer basis, only those departments capable of sending help do so, she said. The emergency network system is designed to pool local resources without endangering any one region by leaving it ill-equipped during an emergency.
Molgard distinguished between "mutual aid for regional coverage" and statewide emergency call-outs. Mutual aid is when one fire department mans another department’s coverage area while that department is covering a large fire or other emergency in order to ensure that there is no gap in coverage. Many fire departments depend on this service from each other.

In Berne’s case, Molgard said, it works closely with Schoharie and the other Hilltowns that it borders. She added that Berne is not only prepared to help others, but would also ask for the same assistance if it were necessary.

While in Delhi, the East Berne crew provided backup coverage for the Delhi department.
"They were in the Delhi firehouse while the Delhi crews were catching up, resting, or answering other calls," Molgard said. The volunteers also answered the phones, did basement pump-outs, recovered propane tanks, and handled emergency medical-service calls, added Molgard.