JB MDL firefighters save more than 250 in hurricane rescue efforts

by Capt. Brooke Brzozowske
621st Contingency Response Wing

11/5/2012 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.  -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's firefighters supported hurricane rescue operations near Ortley Beach, N.J., as part of New Jersey Task Force One, Oct. 29 to 31, 2012.

The emergency responders supported local communities with swift-water and water-rescue technicians, who led in the recovery and rescue of more than 250 victims.

"It was incredible," said Capt. Len Dotson, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. "We were driving the boats down flooded streets, listening to pleas for help. It was sad, but we knew we had to focus."

The captain admitted to facing real challenges during the restoration phase of the storm response.

"We were answering 9-1-1 calls, trying to get to certain addresses," said Dotson. "But we'd get to where the house was supposed to be, and the house just wasn't there. More often than not, the houses had slid down the street and into another neighborhood."

Rescue technicians Joe Brown, Brian Middleton and Karl Ramm, also with the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron, were part of NJ-TF1. The joint base also sent firefighters to assist in communities such as Toms River, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Ortley Beach, Lavallette, Brick and Normandy Beach, N.J.

"We've got a good family and support network here," Dotson said. "We're lucky to have such strong ties with our communities, and we're honored to help them out during this time of need."

The primary mission of NJ-TF1 is to provide advanced technical search and rescue capabilities to victims trapped or entombed in structurally-collapsed buildings.

For more information about the joint base and its hurricane support efforts, contact the Joint Base Public Affairs office at (609) 754-0541.