When a blizzard hit the town of Crestline up in the San Bernardino mountains last March, Our KNX Hero of the Week jumped into action to help save lives.
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Danielle Follweiler RN, is a nurse manager in the emergency department for St. Bernardine Medical Center and two Dignity Health urgent care centers. She and her family live in Crestline and were trapped when around 10 feet of snow buried their homes and cars; no one could get in or out for days.
Follweiler told KNX Heroes producer Heather Jordan, "The snow didn't stop for like 12 days almost," once it did, it took a long time for the steep and narrow roads to be cleared, leaving many families stranded, frantic for food, water, and supplies.
So Danielle and her husband Jeremy started working on a plan. As an employee of the school district, he was able to acquire a bus and managed to get it down the hill, transporting some campers and others to safety.
During all this, the local grocery store collapsed under the extreme weight of the snow; Follweiler says the situation was turning dire. Elderly people did not have power, and some homes even exploded due to gas pipes being covered in the snow, "There was at least four or five homes in the area that completely blew up and were a full loss," she said.
Follweiler contacted the foundation at St. Bernardine Medical Center to help bring supplies back up the mountain to residents who needed them, but there was a big problem - officials would not let anyone on the roads.
After many frantic calls and urgent conversations, the highway patrol finally allowed one bus filled with food and supplies to drive back up.
Follweiler said, "I also have disaster management certificates and training. You kind of go into that mode... You kind of start triaging in your head. How can I help? Sacrifice things that I have for other people and keep me Ok."
"I've always felt strongly when you have either the ability to help somebody that when someone else is in need, the right thing to do is always to help," said Follweiler.
Her hard work and selfless dedication made a difference for all Crestline residents during the blizzard, landing Danielle Follweiler as our KNX Hero of the Week.
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
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