Crime & Safety
Tolland Fire, Emergency Crews Help With Monson, MA Tornado Aftermath
Emergency personnel from throughout the region provided mutual aid to those in western and central Massachusetts after tornadoes came through the area Wednesday evening.
Tolland was lucky Wednesday as most of the severe weather passed through the town leaving it unscathed.
However, neighboring communities to the north just over the border in Massachusetts were not so fortunate as at least two confirmed tornados touched down in the city of Springfield and others in the towns of Westfield, Brimfield and Monson. At least four deaths associated with the storm, according to MassLive.com.
To help, fire and emergency crews from Tolland and other communities, including Vernon, gathered at the West Stafford Fire Department with several ambulances before being dispatched to Monson where they helped tend to the wounded.
Find out what's happening in Tollandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In an e-mail late Wednesday Tolland Fire Public Information Officer Seale Tuttle wrote that in addition to one ambulance, the department also sent its Heavy Rescue truck, which is equipped with portable lights, generators and hydraulic rescue tools, among other gear, one of its small all-terrain vehicles and its forestry truck to help clear debris from the roads.
The equipment and crews remained in Massachusetts until at least 11 p.m., Tuttle wrote.
Find out what's happening in Tollandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A bit further west, ambulance crews from Manchester responded to Springfield, MA, where a twister was seen hovering over the Connecticut River and touched down in the city, according to Massachusetts news organizations that documented the severe weather.
"There was massive destruction up State Street (in) Springfield with uprooted trees, destroyed cars and shredded signs. Our ambulances responded to collapsing buildings, chest pain, active childbirth and more. Response was hindered by debris in the road,” David Skoczulek, director of the Ambulance Service of Manchester, told .
, Tolland officials said their fire houses and ambulance services remained adequately staffed during the mutual aid event.
In his e-mail, Tuttle wrote that volunteers and paid staff reported to their respective fire houses starting at 6 p.m. and remained there on stand-by status until 10 p.m. During that time crews responded to two medical calls requiring the ambulance.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
