Responders Cope as Blizzard Strengthens
Collapsed roofs, drift-clogged streets, power outages, major interstates closed, airports shutdown, stranded firefighters, Humvees and troopers -- this was the scene on the East Coast following Mother Nature's second punch.
Blizzard conditions shut down the federal government in Washington, D.C. for a fourth day, and officials said it didn't look favorable that business was going to get back to normal this week.
Responding to incidents has been challenging for not only ambulances, squads and fire trucks, but military-operated Humvees.
With many side streets and roads blocked by huge drifts, crews often have to walk blocks.
Crews in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Delaware report they've had an increase in calls -- especially for EMS and roof collapses.
Roofs of fire stations, businesses, homes and churches have collapsed or bowed under the weight of the record-breaking snow.
In Fairfax County, Va., adjustments and re-assignments have been necessary following a collapse of one station roof and possible issues with others, said Dan Schmidt, department spokesman.
Three ambulances, a ladder truck, an engine and a utility vehicle were damaged when a station roof collapsed. The units remain out of service, and reserve apparatus are now being housed and staffed nearby, he said.
The same morning, personnel and apparatus were evacuated from another firehouse after the crew noticed the ceilings in the hallways and bay were bowing.
On Wednesday, the same thing played out at yet another station as the ceiling started showing stress.
"Atrocious -- that's how we feel about all this snow, about 40 inches of it," Schmidt said.
A special team comprised of a fire marshal, building inspector and sometimes a structural engineer have been responding to incidents to assess the damage.
In Delaware, firefighters moved apparatus and other equipment out of the Townsend firehouse after seeing the ceiling start to bow, said Kevin Wilson, president of Delaware Volunteer Firefighters' Association.
The move proved to be the right decision as the roof later came crashing down.
Crews across Delaware also have been busy with numerous storm-related calls like roof collapses, wires and trees down and EMS problems, Wilson said.
While crews all up and down the East Coast have had to modify their operations, and slow their response, there have some bright moments as well.
In Washington, D.C., that would be seven joyful moments to be exact.
EMS crews have delivered seven babies since last Friday, said a proud D.C. Fire and EMS Chief Dennis Rubin.
"It's just been incredible," he said. "Since the first storm last Friday, we've handled 2,700 calls. Not all of them have been emergencies, but we've responded..."
Some of those included calls for people who couldn't get to dialysis or other vital medical appointments.
Departments along the East Coast have beefed up staffing to handle the increase in call volume. Volunteers have been staying at their fire stations to man the equipment.
The combination department in Prince George's County, MD saw an increase in volunteer participation during the storms, said Mark Brady, public information officer.
Brady said the cooperative effort has been impressive. The Maryland National Guard also has assisted with personnel and Humvee ambulances.
"We've seen about two times the number of EMS calls," he said. "It's been incredible..."
It was a close call for air and space museum artifacts after a warehouse collapsed in the same county.
The Smithsonian Museum Support Center is used for storage of various artifacts. Fortunately, they were in special containers, Brady said.
He added that fire and rescue personnel have been swamped with calls for roof collapses. On Wednesday morning, shopping center businesses damaged included a day care facility, an insurance business and a pizza shop.
Rubin said one D.C. firefighter crew just happened to be at the right place at the right time. They were on the way to a call to assist another company with a roof collapse when they spotted a working fire in a house.
"No one had called it in yet," he said. "They rescued several residents including a 67-year-old woman."
Among the buildings that have been punched by Mother Nature's fury was fire department headquarters. The flashing was blown off.
Rubin said the damage was minor compared to other structures including a church that completely collapsed. "It (the church collapse) happened on Saturday. We're just thankful that it didn't happen on Sunday when there would have been many people in there..."
As crews continue to deal with the ramifications of the record-breaking storms, more snow is on the way.
