Heavy burden: W.Va. National Guard unit helps ensure safety of buildings

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Debra Richardson | W.Va. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Hamrick, the CBRNE non-commissioned officer assigned to CERFP in Eleanor, points out the structural damage incurred to a gas station in Summersville, W.Va., after Hurricane Sandy dropped 2 feet of snow on the mountainous region. Hamrick and others have been working diligently to assess structural damages throughout Nicholas County caused by a combination of heavy snow and weak structural support. Soldiers assigned to West Virginia's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRNE) and High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package team, or CERFP, ensure that governors and adjutants general have the capabilities to mitigate risks associated with collapsed structures rescue, medical triage and stabilization, mass decontamination, and the recovery of fatalities. While chemical, radiological and biological hazards are not expected during the relief efforts, the soldiers are assessing structural damage to houses and businesses across the state and will remain on stand-by to assist with any necessary extraction rescues. (Army photo by Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson)  

SUMMERSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

10.31.2012

Story by Sgt. Sara Yoke 

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. - While heavy, wet snow burdened the rooftops of buildings, W.Va., National Guard members helped relieve the burden of responsibility felt by other emergency state agencies by providing valuable capabilities and expertise in Nicholas County, W.Va.

After Hurricane Sandy’s long reach brought significant snow showers into W.Va. on Monday night, the CERFP (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package) team was activated and dispatched to critical areas.

After just being evaluated and passing national certification over the past weekend, CERFP proved its capabilities by responding to Hurricane Sandy. While its traditional mission is to respond to CBRNE situations, the search and extraction aspect of the package filled a crucial role in the emergency response to the storm.

The search and extraction element was put on standby and upon receiving the activation order, were dispersed to different locations of the state within three hours.

“We were within route from Eleanor, W.Va., within an hour and at our staging areas within two,” said Capt. Walter Hatfield, the W.Va. CERFP officer in charge.

The search and extraction team’s mission was to assess structures in the area for stability and structural integrity following several structure collapses in the storm’s affected area.

“Whenever there is a disaster like this storm, we can aid the community and other state and local agencies,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Hamrick, the W.Va. CERFP CBRNE and Logistics non-commissioned officer. “We help prevent further damages.”

Each county has an emergency operations center with a National Guard member liaison embedded. When an appropriate emergency request comes through the county EOC, the search and rescue team is dispatched to the location to conduct an assessment on the structure.

The search and extraction team’s capabilities to respond frees up other emergency resources to be allocated where needed.

“For example, if a fire department is called out to assess a questionable building, that’s a resource that can’t be out helping someone stuck in a snow drift,” said Hamrick.

In Summersville, W.Va. approximately 90 tenants had to be evacuated after the weight of the snow caused the awnings covering the outdoor stairwells of an apartment complex to collapse.

“I got a call in the middle of the night - 3:02 a.m. - that the awning had collapsed because of the foot or more of snow we had,” said Peggy Canterbury, the tenant manager for the Summersville Manor. “I was surprised to see the National Guard here today though, but I sure appreciate their help and knowledge about this.”

Because of the fear that the collapsed awnings posed a fire safety hazard, the tenants were evacuated by police. The Nicholas County EOC sent out the request for the search and extraction team to survey the site of the collapsed awnings and the other buildings in the complex. Once the team made its assessment, they sent back a report to the EOC for further review and safety measures.

On Tuesday, the search and extraction team responded to other assessment requests including local businesses. A gas station’s entire roof collapsed, causing layers of snow to crash into the store shelves. Yellow caution tape bordered the building. CERFP search and extraction team members spoke with the owner of the building and Summersville police.

“We noted in the assessment that the weight of the snow could possibly cause a similar nearby building to also collapse since it showed signs of stress, such as a crack in the foundation. We want to try and prevent further collapses that will rob resources from other immediate emergencies,” said Hamrick. “For example, if this wall collapsed, it could cause the power lines to fall into free standing water. That creates multiple dangers to everyone.”

While on the scene, the team also turned off gas and electric to the building to prevent any type of electrical surge or gas leak.

The W.Va. CERFP search and extraction team, along with members of the medical and command and control aspects, will continue to remain in the affected areas while recovery efforts for Hurricane Sandy are ongoing to ensure the people, homes and businesses of the people of West Virginia remain safe.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2012
• Date Posted: 10.31.2012 22:38
• Story ID: 97096
• Location: SUMMERSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, US