Reservist helps evacuate communities before hurricane

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chelsea Smith
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST,N.J. --  Airmen are often revered as heroes for their sacrifices and contributions, but many citizen Airmen have the additional responsibility of performing duties comparable to military missions that require the same commitment and sacrifices. 

For instance, Tech. Sgt. Timothy Mullin serves his country as an Airman with the 88th Aerial Port Squadron, but his position as a detective with the Ocean County Sheriff's Department also calls for him to protect life and property.

When Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, Mullins duties expanded greatly. Sandy's wrath destroyed entire communities, displaced residents and caused massive power outages in more than 15 states, including New Jersey.

Mullin and members from his department were swiftly called to duty a day prior to the hurricane's arrival and tasked to alert local residents to evacuate to shelters established by the American Red Cross. The team visited more than 1,000 homes in Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, Little Egg Harbor and Mantoloking to ensure evacuations were going smoothly.

"Individually, I knocked on more than 100 doors," said Mullin.

Mullin's department joined with other local law enforcement agencies to assist in emergency response efforts in the aftermath of Sandy's destruction, he said. 

Teams consisting of five to 25 members were assigned to work various tasks each day that included transporting displaced residents from homes to local shelters, monitoring activities in local shelters and standing guard at roadside checkpoints leading into affected communities.

"During the confusion following the hurricane, I drove a bus transporting residents to shelters or hospitals for care," he said. "We also patrolled houses to ensure people were able to evacuate and assisted in relocation efforts."
In the course of his duties, Mullin said he witnessed a lot of destruction, including houses filled with as much as ten feet of water with severe water damage.

"I've seen a house in the middle of the road and million-dollar homes destroyed," he said. "I've seen a kitchen on its side."

Among the hollow streets and slowly receding water, the sullen days following the hurricane were also marked by occurrences of looting at local businesses, he said. 

The security checkpoints that were established to deter the looters, drove them to seek alternative means of committing their crimes. While performing security patrols, officers discovered looters were traveling by boat, he said.

Amongst all the devastation, Mullin said he witnessed the endearing side of humanity during the height of the crisis. Families reuniting with loved ones at local shelters, neighbors helping neighbors and an integral network of helping hands strengthened morale in the community. 

In the wake of Sandy, shifting operations to respond to recovery efforts was something the department never logistically prepared for, and the team had no prior experience responding to a natural disaster of Sandy's proportion. As a result, members found themselves working excruciating long hours in the weeks following the hurricane, said Mullin. 

Prior to the hurricane Mullin said his usual shift lasted about eight hours, but after the hurricane, his workday more than doubled.
"We typically worked 16 to 20 hours per day, and in one week, I worked 65 hours in overtime," he said.

Mullin and many other Airmen who also serve as emergency response personnel in their non-military careers exemplify the citizen Airman lifestyle of public service.