SANDY'S HEROES

There's something to be said about a person who runs toward danger.  Some are called crazy, most are called Heroes.

Hurricane Sandy was called the perfect storm.  On October 29, low pressure areas from the north pushed the high pressure of the south right into the New York, New Jersey area instead of out to sea.  That, combined with a full moon during high tide, made this storm different than any before it.

Captain Sam Goddess and his wife Cheryl

Sam Goddess, who most of you know as a  part time member of One Pack's repair department, has a real job as Captain of Carteret Fire Department and was working the night of the storm.

Along side of him was Joe Gadomski who is not only a career firefighter but also a licensed electrician who has helped One Pack and their customers.

Sandy started out no different than most storms, downed wires from high winds and water rescue in low lying areas were the theme of the evening.  Then at about 12:00 AM

Fire Fighter Joe Gadomski

Hell found its way to Noe Street. Pressure caused by the flooding collapsed a cellar wall onto a gas line, creating an explosion that ripped through a small, peaceful neighborhood.

When Sam, Joe and their fellow firemen rolled onto the scene they were greeted by flood waters, four to five feet deep. Their fleet of fire equipment was no match for the tidal waves of water encompassing the scene.

Somehow the trucks were able to navigate through the flooded streets and, together, these heroes

fought three house fires that were fully involved while 

standing in chest- high water, full of debris, human waste and oils from underground tanks. Even attaching
a hose to a fire hydrant was a challenge because they were underwater

The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Back porches that lead to nowhere

and the hydrants to be found.

This was just a taste of what was to come for the next few days for all the first responders in the tri-state area. They didn't sleep or rest, they just fought until they had nothing left.

Today, Carteret is safe and focused on rebuilding.  No lives were lost, no one was injured thanks to our first responders, who One Pack likes to call, Sandy's Heroes