Dec. 11, 2012 — Many probably hunkered down in their homes, safe and warm, when a torrential rainstorm pounded Lassen County during a four-day period.

But that was not the case for emergency personnel who were out in the inclement weather, monitoring the situation for flooding and working to get power restored to areas in Lassen County.

Personnel from the Susanville Police Department, Susanville Fire Department and public works kept their eyes for problems in Susanville, particularly at Carroll Street, in the morning of Sunday, Dec. 2.

At approximately 11 a.m. that day, the Susan River crested at 13.2 feet — flood level is 12 feet — but a K-rail barrier and sandbags were set up to prevent flooding of the homes in the area.

According to city of Susanville fire chief Ted Friedline, earlier that morning, CalEMA was notified and Lassen County was given a mission number, which is the first step in getting assistance from the state, if needed.

He said the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), who had a planning meeting, Thursday, Nov. 29, was activated at 8 a.m. Due to a downed power pole on Bass Hill, crews from the Lassen Municipal Utility District Workers were out at 3 a.m. Sunday, in the pouring rain and wind working to restore power to Janesville residents.

In addition, there are also the EMT’s and paramedic and law enforcement officers who respond to incidents and work accidents in dark stormy nights.

We received several comments from readers thanking the police department and the Susanville Fire Department for coming to their home and stacking up sandbags so their homes wouldn’t flood.

Of his crew, Friedline said they are just doing their jobs and its probably something those in the other departments would probably have the same sentiment.

But I think it’s safe to say many in the community appreciate the efforts and hard work crews put in — rain, sun or snow — to keep our area safe.