SAVANNAH, Ga. () — As we mark six months since Tropical Storm Debby hit our area and first responders are reflecting on how they were able to serve the Savannah community when they needed help the most.

Deputy Fire Chief William Handy told News 3 the department received over 400 calls during the storm.

Some areas across the city were hit harder than others. Handy said the Bradley Point neighborhood was difficult to navigate.

“What we were finding is that they were being cut off from the roadway, there were impacts in the homes, and the residents were unable to get out of their communities,” Handy said. “So, the feat that we had is trying to make sure they still had emergency services available to them.”

Three ‘swift water rescue teams’ maneuvered through the high flood waters across the city.

“We shifted over to our swift water teams that have inflatable boats that are designed for this and are designed to get in those areas to access those people and get them out,” he said.

He continued, “they were out there day in and day out, loading up boats, getting assignments of people that are trapped…”

It was a historic weather event that has revealed that the department needs upgrades before the next major storm. For example, technology to detect when there is localized flooding.

“We would try to look at some additional equipment to kind of give a little bit more of an ease because at a certain point, the equipment is designed to drive through high water, but it still has its own limitation.”

For his team, it was more than fighting fires but making sure the community had a shoulder to lean on.

“We can’t stress enough about the guys and gals that are out there doing the job,” Handy said.  “They’re out there, they’re loading the equipment, they’re out there making that contact with that citizen in need and getting them to more of a normalcy that they want to see.”

News 3 was told by neighbors that they are still working to get back to normal all these months after the storm. Everyone agreed that lessons learned during Debby has helped prepare them for future disasters.