CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Emergency personnel from Clarksville Fire Rescue and Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency have traveled to East TN to help crews battling wildfires in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Ray Williams, Deputy Fire Chief with Clarksville Fire Rescue, said six firefighters have been sent to help with relief efforts.
“These guys volunteered to go and we certainly appreciate it,” Williams said.
The firefighters will not necessarily battle fires on the trip, but will help out residents in the area who may be injured or have lost their homes.
Williams said the volunteers brought a pickup truck and a brush truck that is equipped for wildfire management. They will assess damage in the area and provide whatever assistance they can.
“They’re on their way now, so it’s a wait-and-see situation,” he said.
Photos courtesy of Michael Rios
Montgomery County officials said five Montgomery County EMS personnel and 14 volunteer fire personnel are also en route to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Montgomery County personnel don’t yet know their mission, but will be briefed upon arrival.
“We have two ambulances and a supervisor vehicle en route to East Tennessee with teams from Metro Nashville, Wilson County EMA and Sumner County EMS. Our personnel include Strike Team Leader Dustin Haas, Paramedic; Chris Brown, AEMT; Bobby Ward, Paramedic; Lt. Garland Lester, Paramedic and Terry Miller, Paramedic, in two ambulances and a support vehicle. They are headed to the Gatlinburg resort district to relieve assets currently operating,” MCEMS Director Jimmie Edwards said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and ask that your thoughts and prayers be with all rescue operations, as well as the residents and visitors, in the path of the disaster.”
EMA Director Jerry Buchanan said he received a call for assistance around 7:00 this morning, and by 10:00 a.m. he had a team of 14 volunteers ready to hit the road to East Tennessee.
“That says a lot about the heart of our Volunteer Fire Service,” Buchanan said.
Those firefighters assisting include: Craig Williams, Christopher Smith and Janelle Jastillana from the Rescue Squad; Derrick Wilson and Chris Everheart from East Montgomery Volunteer Fire Service; Thomas Higgins, Logan Face, Jonathan Etson and Chuck Wagoner from St. B Volunteer Fire Service; Shaun Arms with Cunningham Volunteer Fire Service; Rodney Grimsley and Randall Steeley with Emergency Management and Curtis Morais and Matthew Leverett with Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Service.