Home > April 2007 Nor'Easter

FEMA Disaster Information Bulletin

Bergen County Declared as Disaster Area
Individuals, Households, and Businesses Eligible for Assistance

The President has authorized Bergen County as a disaster area.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses during recent noreaster storm and flooding event of April 14-20, 2007 can begin applying for assistance through FEMA by registering on-line at www.fema.gov or by calling

1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Assistance coordinated by FEMA may include grants to pay for temporary housing, home repairs, and other serious disaster related expenses. Low interest loans from the US Small Business Administrations will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully covered by insurance.

FEMA notes that damage surveys are still underway and additional forms of assistance may be designated at a later date.

Links:

• Boro of Oradell Relief Update (4/26/07)
• Boro of Oradell Relief Update (4/20/07)
• FEMA

Saturday, April 14, 2007

• 3:00pm - Special call for members to start generators, boats, and assemble water rescue equipment. Bulk fuel containers were also filled.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

• 3:00pm - Storm Stand-By Activated by Chief of Department
• 3:30pm - Operations Command Center setup at Fire Headquarters
• 4:22pm - First call for assistance

Monday, April 16, 2007

• 12:00am - Operations Continued Overnight and through out the Day

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

• 8:00am - Operations Continued Throughout the Day

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

• 8:00am - Operations Continued Throughout the Day
• 10:00pm - Operational Period Terminated

• All Fire Apparatus needed for Operational Period
  • 3 Engines (one committed to East Side due to Bridge Closing)
  • 1 Tower Ladder
  • 1 Utility Van ( used extensively to transport firefighters, pumps & generators to numerous emergency situations)
  • 2 Command Vehicles
  • 2 Boats
  • 1 Dive Rescue Truck

• Estimating 1/3 of Boro Properties effected by Flood
  • This would be approximately 1,000 Residential / businesses and Boro owned properties in Oradell
  • Approximately 13% of residents requested Fire Department Assistance (About 150 Unique Addresses)
  • Approximately 60 houses required the use of Fire Department pumps
  • Approximately 240 Emergency Incidents were generated during the storm (fire alarms, rescues, pump outs, gas/electrical)

• Water Rescue
  • 2 Boats in operation
• Approximately 90-100 people were rescued by OFD Boats
  • Including Infants, Elderly & disabled
  • People who may not have realized the severity of the situation until it was too late
  • Four Fireman required to be rescued due to equipment failure, the four fireman were in a life threatening situation
  • Numerous family pets were also evacuated during operation
  • Oradell Boats assisted neighboring communities in New Milford, River Edge, Hackensack, Teaneck, Hillsdale, and Lyndhurst.

The estimated man hours during the operation period is 2,370 hours

OFD Members Prep For the Storm 24hrs in advance	OFD Members Prep For the Storm 24hrs in advance
OFD Operations Center	Fire apparatus was staffed around the clock for 2 days
Marginal Road, Oradell - PSEG Building
Marginal Road, Oradell - NJT Bus Garage	Oradell Ave - Looking East at Bridge
Oradell Train Station	New Milford Ave at Elm Street
Elm Street - Looking South	Elm Street - Looking South, Submerged Bridge
Center Street near the Railroad Tracks	Water in the boots happens after 40 hours of work!
3am Monday - Everyone is beat!	4am Monday - Water Rescue Team is heading back out!
DPW Remains Closed After Storm (Nice Parking Job!!)	OFD Members Decon the DPW