UI Thanks Volunteers For Help During Tropical Storm Irene

Town employees, including police and highway department personnel worked tirelessly for several days during Tropical Storm Irene. But there were dozens of unpaid volunteers who worked equally as hard and got just as little sleep.

Several Members of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department and the Orange Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were on call for several consecutive days and didn't sleep either, nor did they complain.

The Firefighters were part of the Strike Teams set up by the Emergency Operations Center and the CERT members worked between the EOC command post at the police department and the emergency shelter at the High Plains Community Center to assist residents with all their needs during the storm and nearly a week without electricity.

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Thomas Cariglio the Economic Development Specialist for the United Illuminating Company came to Town Hall and presented a $1,250 check to CERT Team Leader Al Mushin along with heartfelt thanks for their efforts.

The CERT volunteers do not have a budget, so the donation is especially appreciated.