Storm in New Fairfield From a First Responders Point of View

From a First Responders Point of view...

As a Resident of New Fairfield and a First Responder I can say this storm devastated our Town. The destruction that this thirty minute storm brought was just remarkable. I watched as many of you did as it tore my neighborhood to pieces. As my neighbors and I came out together to check out the damage to all of our homes we began the lovely task of clearing our Privet Road. We were trapped as many of you were.

As we cleared some of the debris, I get the call that many of us do but don’t like to hear. Get suited up come into work we have a fatality. Yes it’s our job but it’s not the call that any of us likes to get. (My prayers and condolences to the family).

My neighbors help finish clearing our road then I find myself stuck on Fairfield Drive!! Wow what a horror. But thanks to the citizens and the volunteers of the Ball Pond Fire Department they helped cut a path through for me. (Thank you to all the NF Fire / EMS personnel). So our Journey gets to Ball Pond Road!! No change in the destruction on Ball Pond!! At this point I have a crowd of people following me fifteen to twenty deep and I have no clue who they are but they all helped me clear a path to assist me to getting to this horrible accident. (Thank you to you all) Unfortunately our Journey wasn’t done and my partner and I had to try and get to a residence. Again we were stuck on Warwick Road trying to get to our destination and the local residents along with Town Employees / Fire Fighters (Thank you) helped get us halfway threw until we came upon un moveable trees and power lines. We parked and walked / climbed over everything in the way. I was able to commandeer the use of an ATV from a Resident that I never met before. (Thank you) To help reach our destination.

With all this said, I felt the need to thank all of you who assisted me and my partner in our duty during the storm. I could not have done my job with out the help of so many of you. I am truly thankful to work and live in this Town. Unfortunately it’s times like these that help bring all of us together.

Again my deepest condolences go out to our neighbor who lost there loved one.

Dave Tharas.

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Originally posted on Facebook's New Fairfield/Sherman - Our Town group on May 17 at 8:21am. Republished with permission.

Photo courtesy of New Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department

Editor's note: Special thanks to Dave and all the First Responders, Fire, Police, EMT and the community for always helping those in need.