Firefighters from the City of Bellbrook worked feverishly last Wednesday when the same storm that spawned the Xenia tornado downed trees and power lines throughout the city.

Bellbrook crews were initially alerted to the conditions just before 1830 hours, when City of Bellbrook Communications began recalling personnel to staff stations in preparation for the destructive weather system.

"Time and time again, recalling personnel during storm warnings has proven invaluable," Lt. Chad Roe said. "This storm was no exception."

"Within two minutes of the first emergency, we had all our apparatus on the road responding to the requests of citizens," Montgomery said. "While the calls continued to flood Communications, we maintained a fast and effective response to citizen concerns."

In all, nearly 19 reports of arcing or downed power lines or other storm-related emergencies were received. One person was injured by the storm, and was later treated and released by Southview Hospital.

In addition, several residents received assistance from medic crews after power outages cause them to have problems with home health care equipment.

Two hours after the storm struck, Bellbrook firefighters who also volunteer for the Miami Valley Urban Search and Rescue Task Force left for Xenia with Rescue 2 and the department's rescue trailer. Crews were sent to a rescue mission at a grocery store on U.S. Route 68 around 2130 hours.

In addition to crews on Rescue 2, Chief Scott Hall and Dr. Tim Manuel, the department's medical adviser, were also called out to assist with the efforts in Xenia.

During the busiest part of the storm, Bellbrook received an engine from the Washington Township Fire Department to fill in at Station 2 while crews continued to search and patrol the area for hazards.

"As of 2300 hours Wednesday night, close to 150 residences were still without power in the city," Captain Phil Michael said from the city's communication center. Dayton Power and Light was able to restore power within 24-hours to all but a dozen homes in the area of the city hardest hit by the storm.

In total, more than 125 residences reported property damage from the storm.

Release I00-08