Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Photos from the Prattville Fire Department
Members of the Prattville Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team jumped into action after the widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene.
Seven members of the Swift Water Rescue Team volunteered to lend their services and were transported by helicopter to Garren Creek, eastern North Carolina for search and rescue, welfare checks and other operations.
“Since Saturday morning, the teams have been searching for 12 to 14 hours a day. All of our guys are in good spirits. They can feel the prayers, so thank you all very much for your support,” Prattville Fire Chief Josh Bingham said.
Newly appointed Chief Bingham gave an update at Tuesday’s Council meeting. Bingham stated the team quickly volunteered to go help after receiving a call from state EMA along with Swift Water Rescue Technicians from Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Calera, Birmingham, and Mobile.
“I spoke with Assistant Chief Ricky Robertson. The one word that he used to describe the scene was annihilated,” Bingham said.
As of late, there has still been little to no cell service, however Bingham confirmed that they keep the crew’s wives and families updated as much as possible and as information comes in.
“They arrived in North Carolina shortly after midnight, early Saturday morning. They slept for about two hours, and they were taken into a briefing and told they were going to be loaded onto a helicopter and flown into an area that’s called Garren Creek. The reason they were flown into a helicopter is there was no road access whatsoever,” Bingham said.
Through the treacherous conditions, limited cell service and long days, these Prattville Firefighters are bringing hope and light to community multiple hours away. Bingham stated that the Garren Creek community, some of which who have lost everything, banded together to grill the Prattville Firefighters and other crews, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Until that point, Bingham confirmed that they had been eating MRE’s and other quick meals.
“It’s just amazing to see the people that have lost everything and the compassion that they have for the first responders that are there. I want Prattville to be very proud of your fire department. Monday night, after crawling through miles of mud, debris, treacherous terrain for about 12 to 14 hours, the guys stepped up and said something doesn’t feel right, and they got the K-9 team and searched another two or three hours,” Bingham said.
Bingham reiterated the dedication and diligence of his team on the front lines, but also the crew members on the home front.
“We’ve been asked on social media, we’ve been asked by phone calls, what are your needs? We train for this. We train, and we prepare. Our needs right now are simply just to keep the people who live in the town of Garren Creek and in western North Carolina in your thoughts and prayers. You know, pray for our guys. Pray for their strength, their stamina, their mental ability,” Bingham said.
How to donate:
The American Red Cross has set up a system to help the victims of Helene, where if you text the word Helene to 90999 (or text REDCROSS to 90999 as well). You’ll automatically donate $10, with the donation showing up on your next month’s cell phone bill.
Or you can visit the American Red Cross website to make a donation as well, https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html/?cid=fy25hurhelene&med=cpc&source=google&scode=RSG00000E017&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIioCcv_HtiAMV8DcIBR1dXSQNEAAYASAAEgJGB_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has urged people to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help the victims of Helene. Links to that can be found here, https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/09/29/donate-nc-disaster-relief-fund-help-helene-recovery-governor-cooper-urges
The Salvation Army is collecting donations and looking for volunteers, https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
United Way is also collecting donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene, https://www.unitedway.org/the-latest/press/united-way-worldwide-establishes-hurricane-helene-disaster-relief-and-recovery-fund-to-provide-urgent-support-to-impacted-communities#
Samaritan’s Purse is collecting donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene, https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/?utm_source=Ggl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YGND-B24V&utm_content=HurricaneHelene&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpP63BhDYARIsAOQkATZ_tITwn-JGgchIyAN9HArda1XKhI9drDwZgd1e4RR-FyrJxMf9Us8aAnp0EALw_wcB
