PLATTEVILLE - Monroe Deputy Fire Chief Lane Heins, along with 25 other firefighters from the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 105 Strike Team helped clean up the destruction after two tornadoes ripped through Platteville Monday.
Heins and firefighters from Monroe, New Glarus, Juda, Browntown, South Wayne and Albany were in Platteville Wednesday assisting the Platteville Fire Department. One unit helped cover the Platteville fire station, another unit responded to two fire calls, and four other units helped with disaster cleanup from two tornadoes that left trees on cars, tree limbs down and a lot of other debris spewed across town.
"In the fire service we see everyone as brothers and sisters," Heins said. "It's not if it's going to happen, it's when and what location. It feels good to help other people who really need it."
One tornado hit the southwest side of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus Monday night. The tornado significantly damaged three residence halls at UW-Platteville - Rountree Commons, Bridgeway Commons and Southwest Hall, as well as the Engineering Hall, the Greenhouse, Pioneer Stadium and Memorial Park. The other tornado hit the north side of Platteville. Gov. Scott Walker declared a state of emergency Tuesday in a press conference at Platteville High School.
Jeff Hill, a Wisconsin State Trooper, of Monroe, was at the UW-Platteville campus Tuesday and Wednesday to provide security from the state patrol.
"It was just for precaution and security," Hill said. "It's devastating to see the destruction. You feel bad for the people who own houses, property or who were injured."
Heins said the second 24 hours and the time after a disaster can be the toughest time for families and communities hit by storms.
"They have jobs and other things in their life they have to take care of," he said. "We had open arms from the citizens of Platteville, and the fire department was grateful we helped out. If Brodhead would have needed our help, we would have gone."
UW-Platteville, UW System staff members and insurance groups are still assessing the damage and haven't put a dollar amount on the damages or announced dates for re-opening buildings hit by the tornado.
The MABAS Division 105 Strike Team has served for about 10 years. The team is called and requested by other fire departments in times of national disasters like tornadoes, floods and fires to assist other fire departments and help with cleanup projects.
Heins said in a situation where there are mass casualties, MABAS could also assist.
"They (Platteville) just needed more manpower," Heins said. "If they would have needed specialized equipment for technical rescue, we could have requested it from other fire departments."
Heins and firefighters from Monroe, New Glarus, Juda, Browntown, South Wayne and Albany were in Platteville Wednesday assisting the Platteville Fire Department. One unit helped cover the Platteville fire station, another unit responded to two fire calls, and four other units helped with disaster cleanup from two tornadoes that left trees on cars, tree limbs down and a lot of other debris spewed across town.
"In the fire service we see everyone as brothers and sisters," Heins said. "It's not if it's going to happen, it's when and what location. It feels good to help other people who really need it."
One tornado hit the southwest side of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus Monday night. The tornado significantly damaged three residence halls at UW-Platteville - Rountree Commons, Bridgeway Commons and Southwest Hall, as well as the Engineering Hall, the Greenhouse, Pioneer Stadium and Memorial Park. The other tornado hit the north side of Platteville. Gov. Scott Walker declared a state of emergency Tuesday in a press conference at Platteville High School.
Jeff Hill, a Wisconsin State Trooper, of Monroe, was at the UW-Platteville campus Tuesday and Wednesday to provide security from the state patrol.
"It was just for precaution and security," Hill said. "It's devastating to see the destruction. You feel bad for the people who own houses, property or who were injured."
Heins said the second 24 hours and the time after a disaster can be the toughest time for families and communities hit by storms.
"They have jobs and other things in their life they have to take care of," he said. "We had open arms from the citizens of Platteville, and the fire department was grateful we helped out. If Brodhead would have needed our help, we would have gone."
UW-Platteville, UW System staff members and insurance groups are still assessing the damage and haven't put a dollar amount on the damages or announced dates for re-opening buildings hit by the tornado.
The MABAS Division 105 Strike Team has served for about 10 years. The team is called and requested by other fire departments in times of national disasters like tornadoes, floods and fires to assist other fire departments and help with cleanup projects.
Heins said in a situation where there are mass casualties, MABAS could also assist.
"They (Platteville) just needed more manpower," Heins said. "If they would have needed specialized equipment for technical rescue, we could have requested it from other fire departments."