“Somehow, the department is managing,” Luparello said. “The members are making the commitment to help the community even when their own families and their own homes have been affected by the storm.”

He added that residents in the flood zone should be extremely careful as they return to their homes and their daily routines. “Just keep in mind that saltwater is highly corrosive,” Luparello said. “If you don’t clean it properly, if you don’t replace electrical wires that were exposed to saltwater, the corrosion will continue. If your heating system was underwater, it most likely needs to be replaced, and you shouldn’t try to make repairs unless you know what you’re doing.”