Free Army Surplus to Make Ocean City Flood Rescues Easier

For many Ocean City residents who ignored a mandatory evacuation order during Superstorm Sandy, a pair of bright red trucks plowing through deep floodwaters provided a lifeline.

As the tides and storm surge rose to a record level and poured into the first floors of Ocean City homes, the special Ocean City Fire Department vehicles were able to evacuate residents and move them to shelters on the island.

The trucks themselves were victims of the October 2012 storm, damaged beyond repair by the salt water.

But using a federal government surplus program, Fire Chief Chris Breunig has brought replacements to Ocean City at no cost. Breunig has secured a handful of vehicles that will help Ocean City firefighters and EMTs navigate Ocean City streets in future storms.

Three of the vehicles will be able to drive through water more than six feet deep. With massive tires, sealed engine components and batteries and air intakes placed high, the vehicles are made to drive through deep water. They operate on six-wheel drive.

Breunig said he's confident the new vehicles — unlike the old red ones — will be able to reach any Ocean City street in a storm such as Sandy. He plans to place one at each of Ocean City's three fire stations. The Army vehicles will be able to transport multiple evacuees to shelters off the island.

Breunig estimates he brought $750,000 worth of Army vehicles to Ocean City a zero cost to the city. The federal surplus program makes available military vehicles that have been replaced with more modern equipment. Preference goes to other Department of Defense operations, followed by state organizations, then municipalities, Breunig said.

After a bit of "shopping" for free vehicles with relatively little wear and tear (first by telephone, then by inspection), Breunig and other Fire Department personnel located trucks in good shape at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Va. The firefighters drove the vehicles back to Ocean City, where they await painting and retrofitting.

Breunig said the surplus program requires the Ocean City Fire Department to possess the vehicles for 18 months before full ownership transfers to the municipality.

Some of the vehicles will be equipped to fight fires, others to transport evacuees, and another to serve as a mobile command center. One is able to tow the other vehicles if they ever become disabled.

Fire officials from neighboring Margate were at the 46th Street station last week, checking out some of the equipment to see if they wanted to participate in the same surplus program.

Breunig said September is National Preparedness Month, and the new equipment will help the department be prepared for hurricanes, storms and flooding in the future.