NY Firefighters Help Neighbors in Wake of Early Winter Storm

November 28, 2022
Fire Engineering Staff

By David Morales

A November snowstorm whalloped Western New York, blanketing some areas with as much as six feet of snow and prompting responses from firefighters in various jurisdictions. Some agencies traveled for miles to provide aid, including members of the Getzville (NY) Fire Department in Amherst, New York, which sent two teams of firefighters twenty miles south of their district to assist Orchard Park after the storm.

The lake-effect snowstorm was blamed for at least three deaths and prompted a federal emergency declaration, according to the Associated Press. National Weather Service observers reported 80 inches in the Buffalo suburbs of Hamburg and Orchard Park.

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The below photos show Getzville firefighters responding to the storm, along with other organization, to help rescue people from their homes and vehicles. Crews contended with various challenges, including a hours-long ride into the disaster zone, stranded motorists, carbon monoxide incidents, medical emergencies, and even a structure fire and collapse.

Getzville fire apparatus en route to Orchard Park, New York
Closed New York Thurway headed to Orchard Park
Getzille firefighters inside rig heading to Orchard Park
Getzville firefighters making their way through the snow to an Orchard Park home
Getzville firefighters making their way through the snow to an Orchard Park home.
Getzville firefighters make their way through the snow to an Orchard Park resident that needed to be taken to a warming shelter.
Getzville firefighters make their way through the snow to an Orchard Park resident that needed to be taken to a warming shelter.
Getzville firefighter Ethan Fargo helping dig someone out of their Orchard Park home.
Getzville firefighter Ethan Fargo helping dig someone out of their Orchard Park home.
8. Getzville firefighter Tim Le helping clean up after a structure collapse fire in Orchard Park
Getzville firefighter Tim Le helping clean up after a structure collapse/fire in Orchard Park.
Getzville firefighters Jason Heim and Ethan Fargo carrying an Orchard Park resident through the snow to an ambulance.
Getzville firefighters Jason Heim and Ethan Fargo carrying an Orchard Park resident through the snow to an ambulance.
Gettzville firefighters helping after New York blizzard

David Morales is a lieutenant and public information officer for Getzville (NY) Fire Company.

PhotosTechnical RescueFirefighterNew YorkPhotosstorms

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