Sandy responder talks about experiences

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A helpful group of Hoosiers got their first good night's sleep in about a week last night after helping in relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

It's a story News 18 has been following since last weekend when members from the District 4 Task Force of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security were called to the area around Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In all, 110 Hoosier responders traveled to the area in 44 vehicles.

District 4 Task Force member Jefferson Howells said after Sandy went through, the area looked like a tornado went through the entire area.  But then add in the power of water and flooding and sand drifts 8 feet tall.

The primary job for most members was providing EMS support for rescue operations and taking 911 calls.

After three days of hard work, Howells said there were mixed emotions leaving the work to other relief teams and making the 20-hour trek back to Indiana.

"We're torn," said Howells.  "We all have families and commitments that we want to get back to.  But when you're so close to seeing so many different lives affected and so many different ways and knowing that you have these skill sets and these abilities and you want to help, it's a balancing act."

The District 4 Task Force is made up of emergency personnel from Purdue like Howells, along with nine counties in the WLFI viewing area including Benton, Carroll, Tippecanoe and White.