Hurricane Sandy Brings out the Best of the Firefighting Brotherhood

Over the past several weeks since Hurricane Sandy devastated the NY/NJ area, many people have assisted the area with fund-raising, donations, collecting items, delivering goods, tearing down, and rebuilding. Many of those people are also Firefighters…Proof positive that we take care of our own as well as others even when we are not asked. We do it because it is who we are, what we do, and what we are made of. Not all of us could make the trip, we are grateful that we have so many BROTHERS AND SISTERS who were able to help out. Thanks

Sandy tormented NY/NJ and numerous Firefighters lost their houses and their belongings. Some Fire Departments lost everything as well.

Unfortunately, I was unable to make the trip up North to help out. I found solace in being able to assist some people with where to find information to help and donate…although it was a very small part.

What I got to witness was much better…and it is still going on. Brother and Sister Firefighters from all over the Country headed to the region to help. Some were “officially” deployed by FEMA, but most of them simply grabbed what they could and headed to the area to help in the clean up effort.

The National Firefighters Endowment sent two to the area to deliver radios and help out. The NFE also assisted with the donation of much more.

More from NFE: National Firefighters Endowment is fulfilling its mission on the ground in the areas of New York that have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. We are working hard to coordinate donations of equipment and manpower to restore the local volunteer fire departments back to operational status. Continue reading here

Brother Randy Yardumian loaded up his pickup truck with goods and tools and headed to the region to help out. He offered a few updates while up there and like most people couldn’t quite put the devastation into words. The picture to the right offered this caption: The back of my pickup, looks like a mini-rescue company…..2 portable gas powered pumps, one small gas generator, suction and discharge hoses, hand tools, water vacs, extension cords, hand tools, electric tools and enough gas in portable cans to blow me to mars and back.

Then I caught word of Brothers from the Charlotte area heading to the region to help. It was an organized effort that ended up sending a bunch of Brothers, some who had never met, on a journey I am sure they will be talking about for years to come.

That trip was documented by Brother Andrew Catron (ModelCityFirefighter.com) of Kingsport, TN. The story of the friendship that was created out of the 9/11 attacks and the call for help after Hurricane Sandy are amazing. The posts are below.

Hurricane Sandy Relief (PART 1): If These Walls Could Talk

Hurricane Sandy Relief (PART 2): Long Days and Hard Work

The Charlotte Group on their way to NY/NJ to help after Hurricane Sandy

The Charlotte Group on their way to NY/NJ to help after Hurricane Sandy

Jarrod Sergi shared this on the Fire Critic Facebook page: Firefighters from Norfolk VA and chesapeake went up a couple weeks ago to lend their time money and effort with the cleanup. It started out as a Facebook post to try and raise some money and turned into dozens of people paying for a large amount of cleaning supplies, food and money for the trip and the ones who have been impacted. They all loaded up a trailer and headed north to help their fellow man. Truly a sign that the brotherhood is still alive and well. Well done by Norfolk and Chesapeake firefighters and special recognition goes to Norfolk FF Rob Spurlock for spearheading the trip.

Indiana Task Force 7 members back home again in Indiana after East Coast experience

Exclusive: Off-duty FDNY firefighters help tear down Hurricane Sandy ravaged houses in Breezy Point