Meadowmere Sandy Hero Honored by Hempstead

The Town of Hempstead recently honored Meadowmere Park Fire Chief Kevin Carrero, who led his storm-battered community in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

Carrero was among 12 Hempstead residents at the 17th Annual Make a Difference Awards. Several recipients, like Carrero, went above and beyond to help others in the wake of Sandy.

“Every year we gather to honor the unsung heroes who strive to improve their communities and help their fellow citizens,” Town Supervisor Kate Murray said.

Hundreds of nominations were received for this award.

Here’s what the Town of Hempstead had to say about the Meadowmere chief:

One year after the rampage and ravage of Hurricane Sandy, the memories and moments from that historic storm are still quite vivid. In the storm’s aftermath, through the darkness, destruction and dismay, we learned of inspiring stories of heroism and human compassion.

We met people who summoned every ounce of courage, strength and fortitude to rally themselves and help others. In the quaint, seaside community of Meadowmere Park where all 90 homes were battered and flooded by Sandy’s angry rain, raging seawater and gale-force winds, neighbors were dispirited and displaced. Through the darkness of despair came a bright light of hope. Meet Fire Chief Kevin Carrero.

With his own home and beloved firehouse damaged, the chief confronted personal heartache but his love and loyalty to Meadowmere inspired a more selfless response.  Chief Carrero worked tirelessly after the storm to evacuate people who were stranded in Meadowmere. He also helped to coordinate a group of local volunteers to survey home and property damage and coordinate necessary LIPA repairs.

The chief also took a leadership role in summoning a FEMA response and he personally walked door to door with Supervisor Murray on more than one occasion to dispense food, blankets, cleaning materials and other essential items

Every night after another arduous and emotional day of painstaking clean-up, the chief hosted a community-wide dinner at the firehouse providing residents with food, warmth and good company.

Our honoree also worked with Supervisor Murray to obtain three invaluable generators that were deployed throughout the community to help energize individual homes.

Much of the Meadowmere recovery was focused on restoring buildings and property to better handle storm conditions. Championing the idea of building a better and stronger Meadowmere, the  chief oversaw refurbishment of the firehouse and worked to obtain a new rescue boat for the community to assist with future evacuations and rescues.

As it did with so many other south shore communities, Hurricane Sandy brought the community of Meadowmere to its knees. But local hero Kevin Carrero reached out his hand and helped lift it back up.

In Meadowmere Park, where Sandy spared no one, Chief Kevin Carrero helped everyone. Meadowmere is 90 homes and one big family, with a hometown hero who really did “Make A Difference” and tonight Hempstead Town proudly salutes Fire  chief Kevin Carrero.