Chief Praises Residents' Response to Storm

In a situation that was extremely trying for many local families, calm and order prevailed, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Nov. 5.

Shupp praised residents for reacting stoically in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, whose high winds left much of the borough in the dark for days.

"This was hard," he said. "I would like to thank the public, because everybody really took this in stride."

"I don't think we had one call that was involving an argument or a fight at a gas station or something like that," he added. "It was nice to see that nobody acted out or anything like that."

Shupp credited the fact that Dewey Fire Co. Social Hall was opened as a heated comfort station for residents for helping improve the situation, and councilwoman Gail Nolf also praised the school district, which opened Saucon Valley Middle School as a shelter.

"It was really a total community effort," she said of the response to the storm.

"Everybody loved Dewey's comfort station and the school district (shelter)," added councilman Tom Rieger.

Borough manager Cathy Kichline complimented the efforts of the borough's emergency services, and said there was "proactive" cooperation between staff.

Council vice president John Bate agreed that the overall response at the public safety level was worthy of praise, but said he would like to have a meeting to discuss "a couple little spots" that he thinks could be improved in the future.

For example, he said the staffing situation at the Dewey comfort station should be examined.

"It’s always good to have a follow-up," Nolf agreed. "That’s how we got better this year."

Fire Chief Rick Delmore told council that Dewey Fire Co. was "well-prepared" for the storm, and added that only 12 minor calls were received because of it.