Poland Spring native Nicholas Gagne has so far helped rescue 31 people in New Orleans as a hoist operator on a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
The air maintenance technician III stationed in San Francisco has been certified in U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue since December. He rescued his first person Sunday in New Orleans.
Gagne, 24, is aboard an HH-65 Dolphin, the guard’s smallest helicopter.
He sits in a harness and his legs hang out the side while he controls a rescuer dangling on cords below.
He volunteered to help find Hurricane Katrina victims.
“I’ve personally hoisted 31 people,” Gagne said Wednesday, taking a break from duty in Mobile, Ala. He was ready to enjoy the comforts of a hotel room. “I’ve been eating MREs” – meals ready to eat – “for four days. There’s like two working showers in New Orleans.”
Gagne graduated from Edward Little High School in 1999. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 2001. On the ground he’s a flight mechanic.
In the air, he controls the hooks, baskets and stretchers that bring people to safety.
More than a week after the hurricane struck, victims are still being found in New Orleans on rooftops. “People are congregating on tops of schools and apartment buildings,” Gagne said, the buildings still completely surrounded by water.
The missions can be complicated. There’s the challenge of avoiding other helicopters and avoiding debris.
Back home, the standard search and rescue mission will drop a rescuer down 30 to 40 feet, at most. In New Orleans, Gagne said he’d been doing “high hoists,” 80 to 100 feet in the air, to avoid fallen wires and trees. The longer the line, the more the slightest move can send the rescuer swaying.
“People are just really dehydrated,” Gagne said. Once hauled onboard, they’re given water and granola bars. “There’s a lot of thank-yous and a lot of hugs.” He wears a helmet and earplugs at work, so he can’t hear the gratitude so well.
The helicopter is so small it can only fit three or four passengers at a time. After they’re rescued, people are being brought to New Orleans International Airport, where there’s help.
Gagne said looking down from the sky he could see gas floating on the water, along with bodies of the dead.
“I’ll bring this with me for a long time. It’s very graphic to see, but it’s very rewarding,” he said. He hoisted the most people on Sunday, 17. Since then, there’s been fewer to rescue each day.
Gagne said he has orders to stay 10 days, but he’ll be there as long as he’s needed.
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