Foley Fire Department lends aid to victims of Harvey

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 9/19/17

FOLEY – The end of August saw Hurricane Harvey barreling down on Texas, and devastation tore through the state. Immediately following the destruction that Harvey left in its wake, the Foley Fire …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Foley Fire Department lends aid to victims of Harvey

Posted

FOLEY – The end of August saw Hurricane Harvey barreling down on Texas, and devastation tore through the state. Immediately following the destruction that Harvey left in its wake, the Foley Fire Department responded with supplies thanks to the help of the community.

During the first weekend in September, The Foley Fire Department took to social media to ask for help from the area. They requested that anyone who could bring supplies such as bottled water, canned food, hygiene products, and baby products to please drop them off at the Fire Station through Sept 1-2, and a supply truck would be heading out on Sunday, Sept 3. The response they received was overwhelming.

“Our folks put together an amazing collection,” said Fire Chief Joe Darby. “It only lasted for 36 hours, and this community, this town, this area, poured out like I have never seen.”

During the collection period, over 1,000 cases of water came to the Fire Station, and in total they received enough supplies to completely overwhelm 2 large trailers. Early in the morning on Sunday, Sept 3, members of the Fire Department along with a few police officers from Foley left heading to Houston, and were seen off by both Darby and Police Chief David Wilson.

“They left out early to make a very, very long trip to Texas,” said Darby. “What normally would take about 6-and-a-half-hours, took them about 12-and-a-half to 13 hours.”

Instead of traveling straight into Texas, the group was forced to travel up and around the devastated areas. After they arrived successfully, they offloaded, got some rest, and left for Foley.

“The unfortunate thing, and it gives you a sense of pride in doing what we did, but the unfortunate thing was there was such a need that by the time they got back to the Alabama line, they contacted the folks back in Texas, and every one of those supplies was gone,” said Darby. “Every bit of it was gone. Even before they could get home.”

The Foley Fire Department received a surplus of supplies during the collection, and already had plans to load up a second round of supplies to send to Texas.

“I want to say I appreciate anybody and everybody that had a part in that,” Darby said. “It was great to see a community come together.”