YORKTOWN — Jason Patch, an auxiliary deputy sheriff with the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, recently returned from Live Oak, Florida, after responding to the devastation caused by the recent major storms.
Patch, a volunteer with the Sheriff’s Office, started responding to storm recovery efforts over 20 years ago. Over the years, he has improved his approach, heading to predicted storm areas prior to landfall.
Armed with a custom-built hurricane box, eight chainsaws, and a fully stocked truck, Patch is often one of the first ones on the scene after the storm passes.
“It’s amusing to me that I can be one of the first ones out there. I enjoy doing this. I love that I get to give back to society in a way. I don’t like how our FEMA and our system takes so long to help people,” Patch shared.
In the last 13 months, Patch has been to the same area of Florida three times responding to storm devastation.
“A lot of the places I respond to don’t have the chainsaws and commercial items that I do. I’ve got multiple chainsaws, food, MREs, multiple blades, cases and cases of water. People are always grateful when I cut them out,” Patch said.
Patch has responded to assist with damage from storms of all sizes. From battling Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys to sleeping in his truck during a hurricane, Patch has done it all.
“When I had to spend the night in my truck, during a hurricane, with 140-mph winds, that was scary. I was very glad that I had a nice big truck that is weighted down with a lot of fuel and a hurricane box, because those winds were no joke,” Patch said.
A perk, according to Patch, is that he reports to nobody when he arrives to help with storms.
“I just do my own thing. If I see trees blocking roadways or driveways, I’ll just pull up and jump out of the truck and start cutting people out. I show up and I just start cutting away, and most of the time, I don’t even ask permission. People usually come out of their homes and try and pay me, but I won’t take money,” Patch said.
Patch, who works full-time as a defense contractor, responds to disasters completely on his own dime and time.
“This is done 100% solo. I don’t take donations or anything, I do this because I see a need. I’m very fortunate that I have a sheriff’s office who backs and believes in what I am doing,” Patch said.
Patch has no plans to slow down and is currently planning a trip to western Virginia to help Helene victims.