Carper stops to honor first responders

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., made a stop April 4 at the Bridgeville Fire Company to pay tribute to some of the first responders who assisted during the April 1 tornado that touched down in rural Bridgeville and Greenwood, and Ellendale. “Thank you for what you do day in and day out,” Carper said. “You are always ready and accessible, and willing to risk your lives for others.”

Along with his son Brandon, a fire cadet, firefighter and superintendent of supplies John Tomeski said he had never seen anything like the destruction on all sides when they arrived in the areas where the tornado hit. “Firefighters were heavily involved and stepped up to the challenge, and as soon as got our job done, the community stepped in,” he said.

Both Bridgeville and Greenwood volunteers used every piece of equipment they had. Bridgeville had just put a new ambulance into service on April 1.

‘This renews your faith in humanity that people still care for one another,” said firefighter Katie Willey. “Thank God for all of us and the resources we have.”