Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Central New York first responders are saving some downstate emergency crews that lost everything in Sandy.
WAVES is sending an ambulance filled with much needed medical supplies to help out.
All it took was a call for help and the donations started piling up. The lifesaving equipment will head downstate to Roxbury, where emergency crews are in critical need.
"We’re talking about responders who have already been stressed to the max themselves their homes, they may have lost family members in the disaster and they are still providing services to the community. It's frustrating as a responder when we are unable to because we don't have the equipment or resources,” said WAVES’ EMT Daniel Taylor.
When 100 homes went up in flames in Queens, the Roxbury Fire Department reportedly couldn’t respond. Their fire house flooded and their trucks were under four feet of water. Other first responders were there, stuck in the same position with no way to do their jobs.
WAVES is donating an old ambulance that it was planning to sell. The ambulance is already marked with it’s new home in Roxbury, where it’ll head to on Saturday.
Not only are ambulances needed, so are the supplies, like stretchers and other medical equipment used by first responders which were also donated.
“The value , market wise, is pretty insignificant considering what we're doing for another service. We know if we were in their situation we would be receiving similar or greater aid, from other agencies throughout the state and throughout the nation,” Taylor continued.
A number of organizations donated gear and medical supplies, including the Camillus and Syracuse Fire Departments, as well as EMS students at Syracuse University.
Additional donations were received by:
Town of Camillus Police
Fairmount Fire Department
Warners/ Memphis Fire Department
Haun Welding Supply
Jerome Fire Equipment
Bob's Signs
Syracuse University Ambulance
Rural Metro Medical Services
Syracuse Fire Department
Jordan Fire & Ambulance
Village of Minoa Ambulance
Brewerton Ambulance
Onondaga Hill Fire Department
Village of Manillus Fire & Ambulance
