Volunteers are 'Tops' in Sandy Recovery

After a tree crashed down on a Lakeside Drive home Monday night, Katonah Fire Department members saw it, turned around and responded to the home. They found an elderly woman home alone who had escaped injury by being in the bedroom next to where the tree came down.

"Normally we don't transport people in our fire trucks, but the ambulance couldn't get to her," said member, Marc Spieler. "The tree had crushed the ceiling and scattered plaster. So we helped her pack up and brought her to the firehouse where EMS was able to connect her with friends or family. We had to be creative these past few days."

The department responded to over 45 calls since Monday night, said Dean Pappas, second assistant fire chief—and many of them were near misses.

"We saw a lot of trees on fences and in yards, but no injuries," he said. "There's a lot of clearing that needs to be done still and we recommend people stay at home if they can."

On the effort that he's seen from fellow fire department members so far this week, Pappas said one word summed it up: "Superlative."

"I'd expect nothing less," he added. "The men and women working together have been just outstanding—they're tops."

The Bedford Hills and Bedford Fire Departments have each responded to a similar number of calls, also with no major injuries reported.

Volunteers have been rotating duty and catching sleep in between, said Dominick Bueti, fire chief of the BHFD. "Their efforts are amazing," he said. "They have the biggest hearts and I can't thank them enough." Neighbors seem to be pulling together to help each other out, he added.

Each fire department has been serving as a warming center and a place to distribute information. "We're open for coffee and warmth," said Jason Siemers, Bedford Village fire chief, who encouraged folks to drop by during the day.

Siemers said many of BFD's members were out checking on elderly residents and on houses where extensive damage was caused by trees—many calls came in from locals reporting they were trapped because of downed trees blocking roads. The department also lost the use of one fire rig when a tree limb fell on its windshield.

He estimated up to 15 houses in their district as crushed or damaged by trees, but said—as so many have said in the past three days—"at least no one was hurt."

Have you been helped by neighbors with chainsaws or generators? Give a shout-out to them here!