Whether teaching shop or helping tornado victims, he is there

Hero: Sam Hintz

Superpower: volunteer firefighter in Conger; industrial technology teacher at Alden-Conger School

Base of operations: Conger

Superpowers: Hintz said the fire department’s operating procedures helped everything go smoothly after the tornadoes hit in June. He said each firefighter was assigned certain roads, and they went to every house in their coverage area within 15 minutes.

Kryptonite: Trees and power lines in the roads made it difficult for the firefighters to get around after the storms on June 17. Hintz also said the power was out in Conger, which meant their radios didn’t work for a period of time.

Origin: Hintz is just one of the group of Conger firefighters who were out checking on people in their coverage area immediately after tornadoes touched down. He said he can’t remember what time he went to bed that night, but the next day they were again working to help people. Hintz installed a generator for a few homes on his block, and firefighters had many odd jobs like rounding up loose cattle.

“We had a crisis center in the fire hall,” Hintz said.

Various suppers and lunches were served and the fire hall served as a place people could come to clean up, use the bathroom and get a meal. Hintz said the community members pulled together to create a place where anyone could get help.

“It’s pretty amazing the way the community came all together,” Hintz said.

He said even as soon as a few hours after the tornadoes hit people were bringing food and supplies to the fire hall to have available for those who might need them.