BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Thanks to the Punishers LEMC Three Rivers Chapter and several private donations, Millbrook City employees were treated to an appreciation barbecue today. They were recognized for going above and beyond when the May 4 tornado caused devastation, road closures, downed trees and power lines across the city. Miraculously, there were no serious injuries or deaths.
First Responders know that emergency situations come with little to no warning. But that point was hammered home to our area when the tornado, with 100-mile an hour winds, along with straight line winds and storms rocked parts of Autauga and Elmore Counties.
It hit right at shift change for the Millbrook Police Department. Many officers who were just getting ready to leave after an already long 12-hour day jumped back into duty. But they were not alone. It took every department the city has to come together. Over the next two days, with little to no sleep, the men and women of the City of Millbrook worked together.
The Millbrook Fire Department was out in force helping to remove trees, check houses and whatever was needed. Officers were inundated with calls for assistance with downed trees, power lines and anything storm related you can imagine. But the storm didn’t stop the everyday calls, including wrecks and other incidents. The Utilities, Street and Parks and Recreation Department were all in as well.
Millbrook residents were quick to act with neighbors helping neighbors. Many of them also thought about the first responders who were out, going without food, wet from the deluge of rain. They brought food by the trays full, bottled water, snacks and even dry socks. At one point as Chief P.K. Johnson was helping to block off Edgewood Road after severe damage forced a road closure, a citizen showed up at his side, umbrella in hand and offered him a shield from the rain.
Chief Johnson had this to say about how the cookout came to be, and offered his thanks to all who helped during and after the May 4 tornado:
“On May 4, 2021, an EF-1 tornado struck Prattville and the City of Millbrook, running a track parallel to Cobbs Ford Road, crossing Highway 143 to the Jackson Lake area. Area businesses and residences sustained damages and numerous tress and power lines were downed, causing portions of Cobbs Ford Road, Edgewood Road and South Edgewood Road to be closed for an extended period of time.
Within moments of the tornado passing, Millbrook police and fire rescue units were on the scene checking for damage, injured or entrapped victims, as well as diverting traffic away from the affected areas. Public works employees from the Street and Utility Departments were out clearing debris and ensuring that there were no interruption of water and sewage services due to power outages in the area. Throughout that night, the following day and well into the next night, men and women from each of these departments, as well as Parks and Recreation, worked diligently until the roadways were cleared and safe for travel, with many working double shifts before going home.
On Friday May 21, 2021, the Three Rivers Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club pulled up behind the Millbrook Police Department with a large grill, hamburgers and brats, drinks and all the fixings, which they prepared and fed employees of the Police, Fire, Street, Utility and Parks and Recreation Departments. Employees enjoyed the meal, as well as the gesture and fellowship with each other and the Punishers, who voiced the support for the work that each of the department’s employees do for the citizens of Millbrook each day.
We appreciate the Three Rivers Punishers for showing up and cooking for us today. Today’s event had actually been scheduled prior to the tornado event. As the date got closer, I was speaking with Punishers President Johnny Stiles to confirm the date, at which time I asked about the possibility of including the other departments. Mr. Stiles didn’t hesitate or ask how many we were feeding. I just wanted to show all of our employees that their hard work is appreciated. Our department received a lot of assistance from these other departments during the two days of the tornado event.
They helped block intersections and direct traffic, which allowed our officers to take much needed breaks and respond to calls for service without interruption. Each one of our departments worked side by side, with no one worrying about the task fitting or not fitting one’s job description. That’s the very description of teamwork and we are blessed to have employees that love this city and are dedicated to serving our citizens. We are also blessed to have the support of our citizens, business community, church and civic groups, many of whom checked on us, made sure we were fed and had plenty of water during the tornado event.
I want to express my personal thanks to Mayor Al Kelley, Council President Michael Gay and a private citizen, who made donations to ensure that we could feed all the employees today. Also, I want to extend a special Thank You to the Three Rivers Punishers LEMC, all of whom are former, retired or current law enforcement officers, for cooking and spending time with our respective departments today. The food and fellowship was great and much appreciated by our staff and the other departments.”
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