By Amelia A. Pridemore
Register-Herald Reporter
BECKLEY —
The search for a missing firefighter is expected to become “large scale” this weekend, and authorities are sending out a statewide request for help. Donald Adkins, 32, was swept into floodwaters early Saturday during a swift water rescue mission. Adkins was a member of the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department in Kanawha County. The search for Adkins officially moved into “recovery” mode Tuesday. The parameters range from the New River, around Batoff Mountain, and U.S. 19 in Beaver. Thursday marked the search’s sixth day. Assistant state fire marshal Robbie Bailey said a “large scale” search with scores of emergency responders is planned for Saturday, and it could last through the weekend. Those on the search have put out a statewide request for any available firefighters or emergency medical service workers. “Saturday, there could be some pretty extensive numbers,” Bailey said. Many volunteer firefighters are off from work on weekends, which means more could be available for the search. Weather conditions should also be favorable. “We’ll have better weather, and we’re going to take advantage of it,” said Beckley Fire Capt. Kevin Price. Four scuba divers were sent in Thursday to search larger, deeper pools around the intersection of Beaver and Piney creeks, Bailey said. Originally, divers were not sent in because the waters were too swift. Water levels are now rapidly decreasing. Crews continue to sift through numerous debris piles as water continues to recede, Bailey said. The debris includes brush plus items that were in people’s yards or houses. Dog teams were on-scene again Thursday, Bailey said. The dogs had some “hits” Wednesday, but he knew of none Thursday. Pieces of equipment believed to be Adkins’ have been found in various areas of Piney Creek, and a flashlight was found at the scene in Beaver. But nothing of that sort was found Thursday. Bailey urged people who find items they believe are “relevant” to immediately call 911. They are also advised to leave those items where they are and to not go into dangerous areas. The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management brought its mobile command post to the scene Thursday, which Bailey said was a major help. Rough conditions in the Piney Creek Gorge are perilous, and they make radio communication difficult. “They’re like a cell phone,” Bailey explained. “Down in a valley, you’re more likely to not have service. But if you go to a ridgetop, your service increases.” That command post could ultimately improve communications, Bailey said. Personnel were working to set up a mobile repeater where radio signals are the weakest. This is the cell phone equivalent of adding another tower. He noted the Beckley Fire Department has made its mobile command post available during the search. “We’re doing our best to rotate crews in and out, but we have crews who want to be here every day,” Bailey noted. “If they can, they are. The profession of firefighting is a tightly knit brotherhood. Looking for one of our own is a different level of emotion.” n n n A massive flood debris pickup continued through Raleigh County Thursday. National Guard troops from the Charleston-based 130th Airlift Wing are moving through hard-hit areas and hauling away any flood-damaged debris. The Guard troops worked in the Beaver and Sullivan Camp areas Thursday, and they could have that region finished Friday, said Marty Agee, deputy director of the Raleigh County Emergency Operations Center. If that happens, the troops will probably move into Mabscott next. After Mabscott, the troops will move into more outlying areas of the county, said Sgt. Jason Lopez of the 130th Airlift Wing. He said these pickups are based on calls the EOC has received, and the locations are very widespread. Lopez estimated Guard personnel hauled away 10 tons of debris Wednesday and another 30 tons Thursday because more trucks were available. Altogether, they estimate they will pick up 75 tons from the Beaver and Sullivan Camp areas. The Raleigh County Commission has loaned Guard personnel more vehicles. Debris, Lopez noted, is much heavier when water weighs it down. “There’s lots of insulation,” he said. “If you’ve picked up a roll of insulation, you know it’s very light. But you put water in it, you’d need two men to pick it up.” Agee emphasized the debris pickup is only available for a limited time — with Saturday possibly being the last day. She noted that anyone with debris needing hauled away must haul it to the curbside. National Guard troops cannot enter private property for debris pickups. EOC officials and county health department personnel are also focused on health and sanitation concerns. Agee said they were working to obtain lime that can be used to sanitize floodwater-tainted grounds. Agee urged wearing proper clothing when removing debris or doing cleanup. She also suggested wearing dust masks, similar to ones commonly used by painters or in body shops, and heavier shoes. “Right now, it’s nasty and messy. I don’t know any other way to put it,” she said. “It’s not bad now, but there’s a lot lying around these houses.” Gov. Joe Manchin, Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall have sent requests to President Obama for a federal disaster declaration. The request includes Greenbrier, Mercer, Summers, Fayette, Kanawha and Raleigh counties. — E-mail: apridemore @register-herald.com