DOT Absence Prompts Stephentown Disaster Plan

by David Flint
When the temporary Route 22 bridge over the Kinderhook became dislodged with the force of the rushing flood waters on the evening of July 29, there were no State highway people around to take charge of the dangerous situation. Fortunately, the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department was on the job keeping an eye on everything. They took the responsibility to close down the road, set up detour signs and direct traffic.
Town Supervisor Tom Sherman was not pleased with the response of the NYS Department of Transportation and in the aftermath he asked to meet with them to discuss the situation. As it turns out, Sherman left the meeting convinced that it was a productive discussion that will lead to better mutual cooperation and overall improved response to disasters.
Attending the meeting at the Stephentown Town Hall on August 20 were Rensselaer County Director of Public Safety Kelly Paslow, two officials from NYSDOT and Sherman along with Fire Chief Rich Burgess and Assistant Fire Chief Rik McClave. Sherman said it was not his intent to assess blame but rather to discuss how and when, if disaster strikes, to ensure that the State is involved and to keep open direct lines of communication. He said they talked about what could have been done better and what could be done to be better prepared for such a catastrophe in the future. The discussion led to the rudiments of a disaster plan for the Town involving the Town, the County and the State.
Part of the plan involves the State providing the Fire Department with highway materials such as detour and arrow signs and orange barrels. These will be stored at the Fire Station and if the State highway crews are not on the scene of a hazardous situation, the Fire Department as first responders will be authorized to put them up so that people will have no doubt that a road is closed or blocked in some way. When NYSDOT arrives, they will take over.
The NYSDOT officials also agreed to be more specific when closing roads and assigning detours, so as to eliminate a problem such as the Berry Patch had during and after the flood when Route 22 was blockaded at Wyomanock Road thus cutting off their business. If a road is closed ahead but businesses are open in the intervening space, appropriate signs will indicate that the road is closed but the businesses can be accessed.
Also discussed were topics such as how best to handle intersections in an emergency and how and where to set up temporary safe shelters. Locations for shelters in Stephentown were discussed such as the Fire Hall on Grange Hall Road, the Town Hall and the former Stephentown Elementary School.
Fire Chief Rich Burgess said he voiced his concerns regarding the lack of help from the State Highway Department and about not having a representative from NYSDOT at the command center that was set up in the Stephentown Fire Station during the flooding. He agreed, however, that the meeting was productive, and he remains hopeful that the State will follow through with their commitments.
Kelly Paslow agreed that it was a useful conference. “I hope if something similar should arise in the future, that the concerns and suggestions raised during this meeting will be taken into account,” he said.