Emergency Responders Honored for Hurricane Response

Montgomery Township supervisors, along with Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak, recognized township public works, fire and police personnel, as well as local emergency medical responders, for their efforts during Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Lesniak told of how the National Weather Service warned residents on Aug. 23 on the East Coast of the potential impact of a Category 3 hurricane. As each day passed, the NWS warned residents of the potential destruction of the storm should it make landfall. Meteorologists also warned Delaware Valley residents of the threat of record flooding.

"Given these reports, the various township departments and emergency service organizations began taking the following steps working cooperatively to protect the life and property of residents and visitors in Montgomery Township," said Lesniak.

Administration

• Public education materials were place on the website and cable regarding generator safety, usage of candles and the "turn around, don't drown" program.

• Email notifications were sent out directing residents to check the website and cable channel for public education materials..

Emergency Management

• Maintained situational awareness by monitoring weather forecasts and participated in a conference call with the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety

• Worked with township administrative staff to prepare public education information

• Chief Chris Mann and Montgomery Township Police Deputy Chief Scott Bendig met with representatives of Neshaminy Falls to discuss concerns about flooding and evacuation procedures.

• Verified key staff and emergency contact information with all departments

Department of Fire Services and Fire Department of Montgomery Township

• Equipment was inspected and prepared for deployment as necessary

• Volunteer crews manned the station from 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 and remained at the station until 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29.

• During this time period, members of FDMT responded to 17 requests for assistance ranging from odors of natural gas to water in basements to subjects trapped in a vehicle by rising flood waters.

Montgomery Township Police

• Equipment was inspected and prepared for deployment

• The department maintained normal staffing of officers on the street and command staff rotated through various shifts during the weekend

• Deputy Chief Bendig contacted representatives from the North Penn School District to verify emergency contact information for the schools and transportation department in the event a shelter needed to be opened

Public Works Department

• Equipment was inspected and prepared for deployment

• Trucks were pre-stocked with barricades and stop signs to provide for a more efficient operation should the township experience a large-scale power outage

• Twelve employees were activated at midnight and worked until 10 a.m. on Sunday to complete the following tasks:
  
  
  • Remove several downed trees
  • Close several roads and reopen when water subsided
  • Cleared debris from basins, streams and storm inlets
  • Removed debris from roadways
  • Replaced storm sewer manhole lids that were displaced by water volume

Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale

• One ALS ambulance added to the normal staffing; a total of five ALS ambulances were on status

• Additional personnel on call to staff up to three additional ambulances

• Crews designated for the rescue truck and marine unit

• Responded to seven water rescues and numerous other medical calls

"A little more than two weeks later, with the ground already saturated from record rainfalls during the month of August, our region was severely impacted by Tropical Storm Lee," said Lesniak. "Having just prepared for Hurricane Irene, all of our departments were well prepared to handle the relatively few calls for assistance made by the residents of Montgomery Township. Specifically, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps was dispatched to Lansdale and Upper Dublin Township to assist with approximately 10 water rescues."

Supervisors Chairman Robert Birch asked all the emergency responders in attendance to come forward.

"I don't think you guys get recognized enough," he said. "We can't thank you enough for everything that you've done. Our township was well prepared. All our staff, all our employees, all our volunteers, you guys just did a wonderful job."