The generator at the Southmayd Home in Waterbury failed Monday night, sparking fear that the 25 elderly women who live there might have to relocate.

The 110-year-old nonprofit organization, which provides basic care to a group of independent but fragile women whose average age is 90, has never lost the use of its generator for an extended period.

The Columbia Boulevard facility’s maintenance staff traced the problem to a broken governor, a piece of equipment that regulates the speed of the generator to maintain a frequency output of 60 hertz.

The new part won’t arrive until later today. Until then — or until power is restored — the generator must be checked by a person once every 20 minutes and adjusted manually.

Hatzalah, a volunteer medical response team run by the Yeshiva of Waterbury, offered to help. Four members of the group monitored the generator Tuesday into Wednesday, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., allowing staff members to rest and giving residents peace of mind.

Gale Ford, executive director of the Southmayd Home, was extremely grateful for Hatzalah’s service.

“This is a real instance of the community coming together,” Ford said. “They’re just amazing.”

The Southmayd Home’s maintenance employee was working another job Tuesday, so John Nelson, a friend of Ford’s stepped in. He monitored the generator on Tuesday, but at dinnertime, when the chef turned on a blender, the system became overwhelmed.

“If the frequency goes too low, the fire alarm panel goes off,” Nelson said. “If it gets too high, it’ll cause problems with a lot of the electronics.”

As the frequency rose Tuesday night, the furnace and water heater shut down. Nelson was able to restart the water heater, and a contractor fixed the furnace late Tuesday as ladies got ready for bed.

Nelson was on his last legs after doing the job for 12 hours Tuesday. Ford said that mayoral aide Steve Gambini referred her to Hatzalah for help.

Hatzalah, which means “help” in Hebrew, has 10 to 15 members, who respond to calls in the Overlook neighborhood, where members of the Yeshiva live, 24 hours a day. Anyone who needs help is asked to call 911 first, then notify Hatzalah via a seven-digit phone number. Often, Hatzalah EMTs arrive first — sometimes within 60 seconds. Members are dispatched the scene via a radio much like what the police and fire departments use.

“The radio sits right next to their beds,” said Israel Solomon, of Hatzalah, noting that they’re used to waking up in the middle of the night.

Although they don’t transport anyone to the hospital, they can stabilize a patient during critical moments.

(Source: Rep-Am)