Long Beach Lifeguards Respond to Hurricanes Gustav, Ike

Two years ago, Long Beach Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team became part of a California State Swift Water Task Force that responds throughout the state to any major flooding or water related emergencies. This task force may also be requested to respond outside of California to assist in other states’ emergencies.

Such was the case last September, when our Swift Water Team was requested by the state of Louisiana to respond in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

The 14-person Task Force that was sent, consisting of seven Marine Safety (Lifeguard) personnel and seven Firefighters, left at two a.m. on Labor Day and arrived in The Pelican State after driving nearly 36 hours straight. The Team took with them one van, one Battalion Chief Truck, two Lifeguard Trucks and a giant Swift Water Truck and Trailer, appropriately nicknamed “The White Whale”. With that they carried three IRBs (Inflatable Rescue Boats), each member’s personal gear and rescue equipment, enough water and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) to last up to a month, and other assorted equipment from chainsaws to rescue buoys to sounding rods.

After spending the first night in Gonzales, Louisiana, in a stable at the local fairgrounds, the team moved camp to the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries Education Center in Woodworth. Other California Teams at the camp included Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angeles City Fire, Ventura, Marin, Stockton and two teams from Sacramento.

The team spent a few days at the Wildlife Center waiting to be assigned a mission after Gustav had passed through and Hurricane Ike was on it’s way. They kept busy, though, training in flood operations, search techniques and rescue scenarios. Because the equipment was all state-owned and brand new, the team spent time at a local reservoir breaking in the engines on the IRBs.

The team also began to learn about the local wildlife. Along with ‘gators, there were snapping turtles, water moccasins, copperheads, fire ants and of course the ever present mosquitoes.

When it became clear that Hurricane Ike was turning toward Texas, the California teams were released by Louisiana and responded to Houston to assist.

Long Beach was attached to Texas Task Force 1 Water Rescue Team. The Reliant Convention Center, next door to where the Huston Texans play, became the new BOO (Base of Operations). The plan then was to ride out Hurricane Ike in the Convention Center, then respond to areas in need of assistance after the winds were safely less than 40 mph. The BOO was staging for teams from California, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, National Wildlife resources and FEMA resources.
After the storm had passed over, Long Beach was assigned to Bridge City, Texas, back toward the Louisiana border. The team arrived in Bridge City that afternoon and began searching homes in neighborhoods that were still flooded. The team covered approximately 30 blocks in 9 square miles. Because the flooding had begun the day before the storm hit, due to the storm surge, many people had already evacuated. A few others that stayed behind felt safe enough to shelter in place. The team continued to search the city and adjacent bayous for the next couple days, checking on homes and assisting those in need.

Once the water had receded, Long Beach and the other California Swift Water Teams were sent home. After nearly three weeks, Long Beach Lifeguards and Firefighters returned to a warm welcome from family and friends at the Long Beach Fire Department Training Center.

The Team that responded included Battalion Chief Mark German, Marine Safety Chief Paul Wawrzynski, Captain Jim Underwood, Captain Mike Nadolski, RBO (Rescue Boat Operator) and Swiftwater Coordinator James Reinheimer, RBO and Swiftwater Coordinator Scott Dixon, RBO Scott Mitchell, RBO Alan Powder, Firefighter/Engineer Jim Gilbert, Firefighter/Engineer George Gjersvold, Firefighter/Paramedic Ron Wiggins, Firefighter Sharon Easley, MSO (Marine Safety Officer) Cameron Abel and MSO Jeff Williams.

Thanks again for all your hard work.