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Helping Tornado Victims

By News 5

Published: Fri, March 16, 2007 - 1:03 pm

Fire officials in Baldwin County are extending a helping hand to their colleagues in part of Alabama ravaged by a tornado.

They're making donations that will help a community and the people who live there return to normal.

The month of March brought tragedy to the small fishing community of Miller's Ferry in Wilcox County.

A tornado cut a path more than 15 miles long, killing one person and damaging or destroying about 40 homes.

Now, the Baldwin County Fire Chief's Association is stepping in to help the Miller's Ferry Volunteer Fire Department in continuing to serve the area.

Association President Roger Few said, "I really got to thinking, these folks, their moneys, are going to go toward rebuilding their community. They're not really going to be able to help the volunteer fire department, so I put out a call to all the departments in our area, and we've had a tremendous response by the departments on equipment donations."

The association is donating a surplus pumper truck from the Spanish Fort Volunteer Fire Department, and much more.

Few said, "We have two other fire trucks that will be coming as well. We have one department that's going to donate a light duty rescue truck. We have a number of departments that are going to donate the turnout gear that the guys would wear, personal protective equipment."

Benjamin Hughes is a volunteer firefighter with the Spanish Fort Department.

When asked if he could imagine what it must be like in Miller's Ferry, Hughes said, "Oh, I couldn't, I couldn't. I wouldn't know what to do. I wouldn't know what to think. I mean, its horrible and I just hope God blesses them."

Crews from the Miller's Ferry Volunteer Fire Department will come to Spanish Fort Saturday morning to pick up the equipment.

And they may be in for a surprise.

Few said, "They don't even know what all they're going to have, to be honest with you. I've not shared with them what the whole list of equipment is. I've just told them, 'They're going to be pleased.' "

There are 36 fire departments that are part of the Baldwin County Fire Chief's Association.

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