Here’s the latest from ER Fire Chief Mike Williams in relief efforts to aid the people in Houston, Texas who’ve been hit hard by Hurricane Harvey.
UPDATE: 9-6 10 a.m. EDT – “Our crews are all back home safe. Again I would like to thank everyone for their following, prayers and love that we have been showed while on this deployment. God is great.
UPDATE: 9-4, 11:51 p.m. EDT _ “We are leaving at 0:700 in the morning and starting our travel toward home. Our Strike team’s assignment has been completed. Great job to all of our Tennessee family of Firefighter’s. God has blessed us in so many ways during this deployment. Please keep all of us in your prayers for a safe travel home. May take us about two days to get back.”
UPDATE: 9-4, 9:45 p.m. EDT _ “All Strike Teams are out of the water. To the best of my knowledge all are well. We are eating then returning to the fire Academy to be briefed. Should know later this evening a little more info, could be some news we’ve been waiting on…..will keep you posted.”
UPDATE: 9-3 – “Late night update; we were told tonight that we will be deploying at 0600 in the morning back into Houston to evacuate all that remained. It is mandatory and we will have Law enforcement in our boats. Tomorrow will definitely be one of our biggest challenges. It’s sad when you have to make these people leave their homes. Even when it’s for their own safety. They have no utilities and can’t get out on their own.”
Chief Williams: “Day two in Houston. We have been assigned to deep water evacuation. Two and three story buildings. Weather prediction water not going down in this area for at least two weeks. This is a large area with more than 4500 residents.”
East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams said Friday that the six first responders from our area helping with the Harvey relief in Texas are on the move.
He communicated the following to East Ridge News Online: “Noon update; our strike team of 100-plus have teamed up with Texas Task Force 1&2. Looks as if we will be moving tonight or tomorrow with our new Texas family to Houston. Of course this could change. We have seen many changes in direction and orders. We are currently in Wharton Texas. This is southwest of Houston.”
Chief Williams along with Firefighter Chris Peters left with four other first responders from Bradley County Fire and Rescue and Dallas Bay Fire and Rescue, Wednesday morning.
East Ridge News Online will continue to post updates from Chief Williams and his crew as they become available.
