Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:59 PM
Subject: Bagley Flash Flooding
Susan & Scott:
I wanted to take just a second to let you know that the water rescue training we took last month is already coming in handy. We had no idea that we'd be using it so soon...but I'm sure you've heard by now of the flash flooding in Bagley last week (28 homes and cabins destroyed and lots more w/ major damage).
Brian, Brandon and myself were among the first mutual aid responders into the village that night, at about 2AM. I got "stuck" with a command role, but Brian and Brandon spent several hours going door to door in our new Fortuna RDC rescuing homeowners from flooded houses and taking them to safety, and chasing down floating propane tanks to shut them off. The fortuna was absolutely perfect for the conditions they were working in--not sure what we would have done without it!! And it was light enough that when they finished search in rescue in one spot, they simply strapped it to the top of the rescue truck and headed to the next area.
This is the first time we've ever had a true swiftwater capability in our region. By the time they got to the scene with the truck, they were geared up in their wet suits, vests, boots, helmets, and so forth and all ready to go...they just jumped off the truck and went to work. The surrounding departments were very impressed by their performance and I think it's really going to help with our recruitment of new tech-rescue members this fall. For sure, it's going to help us to get more of our own members enrolled in the ops and tech class at white bear next year!!
The Bagley recovery is going pretty well. We've got a lot of people in temporary housing right now, but it's looking promising to get some federal $ to fix up their homes again. It's been a couple of 95+ hour weeks for Julie and I but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Just wanted to say thanks for everything, and we're looking forward to coming up there for some more training soon!!!
Steve
