Fire Companies, Police Ready and Waiting

Ledyard Police and both fire stations in town were well staffed Saturday night and waiting for that first call.

"We have extra staffing on now, staggered throughout the remainder of the storm," said Ledyard Police Lt. Michael Finkelstein. "In addition to normal patrols, extra officers are assigned to areas of town to be able to quickly respond to any needs for police assistance."

Finkelstein said the Emergency Dispatch Center will also have extra staffing in place to handle the extra calls or incidents related to the storm. "The Emergency Operations Center also will be operational and in direct communications with the State EOC per established protocols," he said.

Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone said he expected things to get interesting around 4 a.m. Sunday, mostly with calls for downed trees and branches, possibly some rescue work. "Hopefully not," he added

Saccone said toward morning the company also expected to be doing a fair amount of pumping out basements.

In Ledyard Center, some 20 firefighters and ambulance personnel were eating spaghetti at 10 p.m. and preparing for a long night. 

"We had our briefing about an hour ago," Ledyard Fire Chief Steve Daggett said. "We're ready."

Pairs of boots and firefighting gear stood at the ready beside trucks in the bays below. Shortly after 10 p.m. three yellow cherry pickers and a utility truck were seen passed along Col. Ledyard Highway and heading north up Route 117.