Blizzard 2013 – DoingItLocal

5 Ambulances Abandoned By City During Storm

Branch Manager John Wrobel of Nelson Ambulance on Nobel Avenue tells us that the City of Bridgeport abandoned five ambulances during the storm. John tells us that he made about fifteen to twenty phone calls to have Nobel Avenue cleared so they could resume their services. The ambulance service had to resort to hiring a private contractor . There were five ambulances and five chair cars out of a fleet of nineteen that do one hundred to one hundred and thirty calls a day. They were unable to provide services out of their Bridgeport branch. Nobel Avenue wasn’t plowed until Tuesday according to Wrobel, he came out t speak at the city council meeting but time ran out before he could speak. A city worker seen at the end of the video shouted to us this wasn’t true but you can see he was vigorously debating this. Other city officials talked to Wrobel after our interview but he did not get to speak at the meeting. “We totally neglected” Wrobel said.

Citizens Share Thoughts On Snow Removal In Bridgeport CT

Citizens from all walks of life shared their thoughts on how the city handled the snow removal during the Blizzard of 2013. The meeting ran over the hour allotted time and was extended another half hour. It appears most views were shared as there was no opposition as the city council moved into their meeting without objection after the half hour extension. I’ve condensed the two and a half hour discussion to under ten minutes. It was very apparent everyone’s ideas were very well thought out and worth consideration.

Fire on Roberts Street Bridgeport With Rescue

66113_494468867272748_2028497286_n — Looking for escape from the third floor

Firefighters do not hesitate to rescue despite a possibility of shots fired

Police were called to 158 Roberts Street around 9:30am Wednesday morning for a report of shots fired. A fire also broke out at the as well and first responders tried to sort out what was taking place. Our residential corespondent Miguel Masso was just trying to get to work for the first time since the blizzard hit. The day before he and neighbors dug out Roberts Street by hand. Fortunately a firefighter was also involved with the dig out and instructed everyone to clear the hydrant that was used to put out this fire. Police had to handle the scene as an active shooter on scene as you can see in the video. Firefighters arrived and rescued a woman from the third floor as flames could be seen on the second floor as captured by resident correspondent photographer Deborah Lee Miller Riley. Police and firefighters also rescued two dogs. Witnesses said a man with emotional problems may have been yelling and screaming in the house to make people think there was a shooting. Police and SWAT team personnel did find a ma on the second floor with burns laying on the floor. No guns were found inside the building. As you can expect police an fire departments are investigating.

Citizens Clear City Streets From Blizzard

Salem Street Residents Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands!

After a historic blizzard that dropped over thirty inches of snow over the state cities and towns strained to clear the roads

Neighbors at Vanguard Street get together and shovel their street from the top of the hill all the way to Main Street

from such a staggering blanket of snow. Ambulances and firetrucks getting stuck to and from calls were a common site as well as citizens pushing them out. There have been a great number of stories of neighbor helping neighbor and I was proud to give the good citizens an audience on our Facebook page, asking for examples and oh we got man of them! The city of Bridgeport announced that they may not be able clear all roads until next Sunday. People then started posting on our Facebook page photos of neighbors clearing their own streets! I have to admit I looked at the fire hydrant three houses down from my house and thought of taking the fire department’s suggestion of digging hydrants out for our safety. But there was about five feet of deep snow, even with my snow blower I’d probably be a medical call before I finished. Clearing an entire street by hand? Amazing! We got many examples.

Inspired, we teamed up with Fire Engine Pizza at 2914 Fairfield Avenue, for a Street Clearing Talent Contest! Send us a video of you and your neighbors clearing the street of snow in a creative way, i.e. a rap, a dance, a parody or just having fun, whatever! Use your imagination! Sent the video or Youtube link to doingitlocal.com@gmail.com along with your contact info. The wining group will get TEN free pizzas from our good friends at Fire Engine Pizza in Black Rock. The gang at the bar will select their winner Friday night! If there are other businesses that would like to contribute prizes contact me at the e-mail above!