Red Cross volunteers, EMS workers from Western Pa. among those helping after Hurricane Ian

Megan Tomasic, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·4 min read

Sep. 30—Bob Johnson knew without a doubt that when Hurricane Ian was projected to slam into Florida this week, he would need to be there helping in the aftermath.

On Sunday, , the Red Cross volunteer from Connellsville headed to Florida where he waited out the storm in Pasco County before helping to set up a shelter in Tampa for those who evacuated from other parts of the state.

"One more person is another person helping somebody who needs help," Johnson said. "I don't hesitate."

Johnson is one of many Red Cross volunteers or first responders from Western Pennsylvania who left this week to help those in need after the storm made landfall Wednesday near Fort Myers and Cape Coral as a Category 4 hurricane. At the time, maximum sustained winds reached 150 mph, wreaking havoc on trees, buildings and roads, sending storm surge to heights near 12 feet.

While Ian moves up the coast — recently making landfall near Georgetown, S.C., as a Category 1 storm — recovery efforts are beginning in Florida with the help of crews from Murrysville Medic One, Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services and Fayette EMS.

The crews are part of a national response team by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides assistance across the country when needed.

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"They indicated some of the areas are pretty bad, some of the areas are not too bad," said Greg Cominsky, a supervisor with Rostraver West Newton, which sent one unit to Florida. "I think a lot of it was flooding and things. I know Sanibel Island, they were evacuating people by helicopter there and boats."

Rostraver West Newton crews are working in Lee County, Fla., where the hurricane made landfall.

According to Cominsky, crews are working to answer around 500 pending emergency calls.

"Typically what they'll do is they'll run (calls) during daylight hours because it's hard to drive through water and over power lines and collapsed roadways and stuff when you can't see at night," said Cominsky, who performed similar tasks when he responded to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 5 storm in 2005.

Cominsky did not know when crews would return.

Murrysville Medic One sent two ambulances to Florida, said spokesman Matt Stromberg.

"They've gone on a number of deployments when either PEMA, which is Pennsylvania, or FEMA, which is the feds, have asked for units to go," Stromberg said. "Our crews have willingly participated in that and they've done all the training they need. ... It's for the common good and it's very important."

According to a news release from Fayette EMS, three crews and three ambulances were sent to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Crews are expected to be activated for 14 days, but that could change as the situation evolves.

"As first responders, we provide care to those in need, so being able to help provide assistance to residents and communities being impacted by this disaster is an honor," Chief Rick Adobato said. "While we are deploying resources to some of the hardest-hit areas, this will not affect our ability to continue providing timely medical care for our communities in Fayette County."

The Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region deployed more than 30 volunteers, aiding the 1,300 trained Red Cross disaster workers who are responding to impacted states. The organization has set up evacuation shelters in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.

Johnson is one volunteer who is assisting evacuees at a shelter that was set up in a neighborhood community center near Tampa to make sure their basic needs are met "or if they just need a shoulder to cry on," he said. "That can be all they need."

Johnson said there were about 25 people at the shelter Friday afternoon.

"It helps to alleviate their pain and suffering to help your fellow person," Johnson said. "You would not believe the gratitude that we get. They ask where I'm from. Pennsylvania. They said, 'How much do you get paid?' I said, 'Zero. ... You need us.' It puts a smile on their face. You help one another. In times of need, you come together."

Megan Tomasic is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan by email at mtomasic@triblive.com or via Twitter .