Sandy Efforts Lauded By Hopatcong Officials
Governing body recognizes police, EMTs, public works members and others for response.
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Mayor Sylvia Petillo and the Borough Council gave thanks and presented certificates of appreciation to borough employees Wednesday for their efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Capt. Dan Rodriguez accepted the award for the ambulance squad; public works superintendent Ron Jobeless accepted the award for his department; dispatchers Liz Faatz and Pat Moschella were cited for their efforts; Fire Chief Wade Crowley, Police Chief Bob Brennan and Capt. Tina Kraus, who accepted the award for the police department, and emergency management coordinator Patrolman Robert Hafner were also honored.
Councilman Michael Francis said the efforts “show the fiber of the community.”
Petillo said many things happened during Sandy “that changed us and made us stronger.”
“Our first responders are so wonderful and sometimes we rely on them so much we forget that they left their families and their homes to protect our community,” she said. “They were not immune to personal loss. Indeed, many of them suffered significant property damage themselves and left their own loved ones in cold, dark homes so they could continue to work everyday and serve our residents.”
In addition dealing with the storm's aftermath, Petillo said, borough employees had to set up an election and prepare for a second storm that threatened the region.
The ambulance squad responded to 58 medical emergencies during the storms, she said, and cared for those staying in the regional emergency shelter at the high school. The squad also offered transportation from homes to the shelter and from the shelter to hospitals, she said.
The public works department cleared streets of trees and fallen wires, and opened roads so the emergency vehicles could get through, Petillo said.
They are still cleaning brush and debris from the storm, she said.
Faatz and Moshchella were recognized for their handling of the hundreds of calls that came into the dispatch center.
“It takes a very special kind of person to respond to people who are scared, angry and venting during a disaster,” Petillo said.
The fire department responded to seven structure fires, 11 other fires, one brush fire, 13 carbon monoxide alarms and two fire alarms during the storms, she said.
They also transported a bed-ridden partly paralyzed resident, and his bed, to the shelter, she said. They used their own vehicles to removed debris from roads, helped their neighbors and made many runs to the county for ice and water.
Capt. Tina Kraus and Lt. Tom Kmetz of the police department found ways to keep communications flowing during the emergency, Petillo said. Hafner coordinated the effort and set up a shelter that was recognized by national media as the top local shelter they had seen, she said.
Hafner showed resourcefulness, durability and leadership, and handled every crisis, “and there were plenty of them,” Petillo said.
Josh Rohling
11:32 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
Yes, they should be lauded for taking 2 WEEKS to return power to the town. Their efforts were a joke. The second the mayor got her power back, they delayed and took their time.
whoha
6:17 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Hey Josh. Stick a sock in it. These people did a great job and deserve the recognition.
The Watcher
9:46 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
Josh perhaps you missed the previous postings on patch. The mayor and at least one council person had large generators. The people honored above were the people who were actually in the "trenches" helping their fellow residents even though they were also in dire straits with the rest of us. Most of them are in volunteer positions so there was no personal gain. I heard that the CERT volunteers had to pay for their own "Thank You dinner" so YES Josh they should be thanked for their time and effort. THANK YOU to everyone who came together to help their neighbors, and fellow residents you are appreciated !
Hnj23
6:17 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
The people honored here are not the ones that turn the power back on. That would be JCP&L. While there were problems during this crisis and everyone wishes things had been handled differently, I feel there were a lot of people doing the best they could under the circumstances and trying to help. These are the people that deserve to be thanked.
whoha
6:17 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Hey Josh. These people did a great job while under a lot of pressure. They had nothing to do with when power came back. They deserve the recognition.
Tammy
6:17 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Where in this article does it say JCP&L was lauded? Are you suggesting that the Ambulance Squad, the DPW, the Police Department and dispatchers are responsible for restoring power?
jazzman
10:27 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
we should be lauded for putting up with all that inept and boy from eyes theres was alot to go around,and lets be real its not all about JCPL,we spent over a week looking at all the ALL waiting for the mayor to figure out she couldnt wait for tree cutting crews from other states to open up our roads...DPW had to wait a week to cut through all the red tape and procedure so im guessing all the laud is for week two because week one was a complete loss
Patti
10:27 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
I am very proud to have Officer Bob and all other town workers that spent all there time helping people that needed it I was able to help my family and friends but they did all they could to those that didn't have any help. Wouldn't want anyone else but them by my side next time!!! Thank you all that stood by Officer Bobs side. !!!
Frazure
9:46 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sounds like some ungrateful, disgruntled people here. This was an unprecedented weather event, one that left far more destruction in it's wake than anticipated. There were those that offered their all and others that sat back choosing to do little more than whine and complain. Nothing was perfect from local responses to the disaster to final restoration of power, but those that gave of them selves did so selfishly and should be lauded for their efforts.
To all the whiners and ungrateful complainers - thanks for nothing. As for JCP&L, their untimely and inaccurate communication to municipalities/residences exposed the need for tremendous improvement and we were also made aware that JCP&L has not properly maintained and updated our antiquated infrastructure......Grade = F. Nothing was perfect, but don't take away from the very well intended effort of our local police, fire, EMT and DPW personnel that did their best under very trying circumstances. They deserve to be recognized.
DD6479
9:46 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
Yes let's definitely praise Ron Jobeless, I made several inquiries and I got such responses such as "Yeah we'll get to that" or my favorite "What do you want us to do about it??"
I would however offer praise to all of our first responders, They really are very dedicated.
Mason Francisco Sr.
9:46 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
Seriously?
If it weren't for people like "Officer Bob" and the rest of the Hopatcong Police Department, the Hopatcong Fire Departments, Ambulance Squad and all the "First Responders", which that must also include the local CERT, the Hopatcong High School Shelter would have been a mess. These people were dealing with the results of a storm like nothing that has ever hit this area before. Was it a learning experience? YOU BET! But if something like this ever happens again, you can be sure that Hopatcong and the surrounding areas will be better prepared for it because of the lessons learned.
I'm sure that the people who are unhappy with the town and it's tireless workers and volunteers were doing their best to pitch-in and help too...right? I mean, I'm sure that with all of the notice of the Superstorm's approach, they were fully prepared to weather the storm, fully supplied and ready...right?
This storm was a major disaster, and everyone was inconvenienced, some more than others...I saw people who had lost their homes, and they were more concerned about their neighbors than their own plight. I saw people who were running on only a couples of hours sleep a night working the rest of the time driving ambulance and helping at the shelter on their down-time. What else could be asked of them???
My opinion... You can join one of two groups.
The people that pulled together and helped... Or... the selfish whiners...
Who do you want to be?
jazzman
3:32 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
you see what you want to see,so how do you explain 1 week to move one tree finally only taking 2 guys...Joe Tree...1 Dpw operator, 1 front end bucket loader,1 chain saw and in 1 hours time,1 open and clear road....ohh and that Lakeside Blvd feasco, now thats way more complicated...be real....to most people in this town help was non excistant and your word selfish sounding more the whinner,well thats how its always going to be with that inner circle "them and us" your words not mine.not everyone needed the HHS,not everyone needed a ambulance,not everyone needed HPD,not everyone needed the HFD,and not everyone needed that CERT,and so lucky for them the majority that means most of us,.. needed to get out out of town only to get food and fuel only needing that to survive,all them people you talk about thinking they`re not getting enough rewards and pats on the back,only had to deal with about 1 percent of total victims of this storm,but for the rest of the 99 percent who had to fend for themselves,out of work for 2 weeks or people with jobs lost completely.so with no help in sight the reality the real heros in my eyes the unsung ones the stories we`ll never ever hear about the 99 percent and all unconditional and without reconition,Now who`s sounding more like the selfish whiner and so out of touch with the true story historically of the storm of 2012 Sandy
The Watcher
9:19 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Jazzman perhaps you should have asked the mayor for gas apparently she had a truckload.
Jennifer McCarrick
3:32 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
Well said Mr. Fransisco! Our town's first responders, work crews, Officer Haffner and especially CERT were amazing! The situation would have been 100% worse had they not been here doing everything for everyone who needed anything. They were tireless and always with a smile and a helpful positive attitude. I personally can't thank them enough.
Mason Francisco Sr.
9:19 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Come-on, really?
If you want to take JCP&L to task I'm right with you...they did a lousy job! Let's not bring up the Cable company!
BUT...if you are upset with the Police, who have nothing to do with tree clearing, the Fire Department, who also have nothing to do with tree clearing, the Ambulance Squad, who...Yup, you guessed it...had nothing to do with tree clearing, or CERT, and I'll bet you won't see this one coming...had nothing to do with tree clearing, you're WAAAAAAAAAY off base. Now, the Hopatcong Department of Public Works? Well, all they had to contend with was a few trees...OK, a few HUNDRED trees! Don't forget that a great many of those trees had LIVE power lines tangled in them!!! Geez, what do you want from these people? The job they finally accomplished was HUGE! You could have done it better? Give it a try next time! Here's a word for all of the people who find it so easy to armchair quarterback...Volunteer! Try being part of the solution and you will find a lot of grateful people out there shaking your hand with tears in their eyes. Their "thank-you's" will mean more than you could imagine, and will warm your heart even in this weather!
Yes, if you really want to complain, OK...I guess you can, or you could try helping...run for office...join the first responders in any capacity...or just volunteer.
Complaining accomplishes what?
jazzman
12:53 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
A great many of those trees had LIVE power lines tangled in them"
what planet were you onpowers was out babe,trying to reright history again,and for the record my complaints only came after all the Rah Rah trying to correct this absurdity,the firemen so what did they do,there werent no fires didnt direct traffic,the police what calls did they get there was no 911 they`re responce to it all was to tell everyone to huckeldown,didnt direct traffic either Ambulance1lady did fall down the stairs in dark,the shelter had the red cross and only about 3 percent,and the Cert,well who knows what they do its was there first call out!im pretty sure they did something people were basically left to defend themselves,did anyone do house to house welfare checks,we were just lucky there were no loss of life your selfish act is you were taken care of during the storm you had people around people who didnt have that circle of friends not as fortunate as you We needing now to shut up and stop our whinning.what i saw and heard during that storm is a far cry from your reality and thats only because you were not out there,unless your eyes were closed,i could tell you stories not tails,you remember the mayor told the news that power was back on in the Gardens when it took about week later for that statement to true,only because she had power thinking everyone else did too!the lady is a moron,she needed only to drive around town like i did to see the differance between genorator power and JCP power
Frazure
5:59 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013
JazzMan.....moronic response as usual. You are usually way off the mark when it comes to the substance of the topic and for God's sake, man.......your spelling, poor grammar usage, punctuation, sentence structuring, phrasing and lousy overall writing skills would indicate that you have never seen the inside of a classroom. It's hard to take someone seriously if they are unable to write or speak a single coherent sentence. It's the same thing over and over in every post you make.
james
11:35 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
Same whiny bitches on every post!
Patricia M
12:53 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
I would just like to clarify something in the above article. Liz Faatz & I graciously accepted the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of all of the dispatchers that worked during the storm. Due to work schedules, etc., not everyone was able to be there. We are truly grateful for the kind words our Mayor had to say. It's not every day that you are recognized for your hard work & dedication, especially during times like "Super Storm Sandy", & we truly appreciate it.
Have an awesome day & as always, try to find a way to 'pay it forward' :)
NAOMI M
9:29 am on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Patricia M You're right"! It's not every day that you guys get recognized for your hard work & dedication. I, for one, am glad you all were. You guys all do a great job. Keep it up.
Mason Francisco Sr.
9:12 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Truth is, that each line needed to be tested because entire electric grids WERE NOT OUT !
Honestly, this guy just want's to be upset, and no one is going to take that from him...all I can say is I'm glad he's not my neighbor. WOW.
Daniel Rodriguez
9:12 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Jazzman Many wires were still live as many people Were running generators incorrectly. The fire department and the ambulance hsquad were using our vehicles and personal chainsaws to help clear roads. We transported over 58 people to the hospital ranging from medical emergencies ie. Heart attacks asthma attacks, srokes . To traumas and and hypothermia. Those 58 calls did not include transports and evacuations to the shelter and pulling people out of homes and cars that were crushed by falling trees. Please know the facts before informing the public of the services we conducted. I would also like to thank everyone else who came together and donated to the shelter and supported all of us first responders. This communities ability to come together is the reason I sacrifice my time and sleep to help Hopatcong. Let's not let a few tarnish what everyone did and continue to come together and recover from this storm.
Daniel Rodriguez
9:12 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Jazzman maybe something a great man once said can fix your frame of thinking and negativity- "ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country" JFK
Mason Francisco Sr.
5:56 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
CERT was honored by Proclamation of The Mayor...not long overdue, because CERT members don't do what they do for the praise, they do it from the heart. These citizen volunteers have meetings, go to classes for special training, help with Township Events and Emergencies doing everything from Parking to Search and Rescue, They've aided the Police Department in Evidence Recovery efforts, they Opened and Ran the day-to-day operations of the Hopatcong Shelter and they practice, practice, practice so that they can be ready to do what they do best...unselfishly give of themselves in times of need.
Why don't more people know about CERT? That's a good question!
I think it's because out of the many CERT groups in New Jersey and Nation wide, most are not utilized to their fullest potential. Hopatcong has recognized this fine organization and has taken advantage of the usefulness that can be provided by people who are ready and willing to serve.
Thank you for all you do CERT, and congratulations... BRAVO!
NAOMI M
9:52 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
I kind of wish there was a simple "like" button to click on some comments & a "dislike" for others so we wouldn't have to get into long, heated, often, (like this one) off the topic threads. -just a thought..