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| Tuscaloosa |
The city's response from the Department of Public Safety includes a 10-man heavy rescue unit (Rescue 75) being sent to Tuscaloosa, along with 10-12 fire vehicles (including mules) and activation of six DHS-trained police officers ready to help any other areas.
A 10-man HAZMAT unit from the Fire/Rescue Department is also on standby, as are two advanced life support pumpers, one ladder truck, two paramedic units and a command vehicle.
Mayor Todd Strange took a moment early in his weekly briefing to address the relief situation near Montgomery and throughout the state.
"I want to take this opportunity to extend our condolences and offer prayers to those individuals that have been impacted," said Strange, who also noted he had been in touch with the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham mayors. "When I talked to [mayors] Walt Maddox and William Bell, we offered all support we had available."
Strange said the city last night dispatched 15 individuals to Tuscaloosa, who arrived at midnight and immediately went to work helping clearing up a sector.
Strange said the city also dispatched about 16 law enforcement officers to Elmore County, where storms have so far reportedly claimed the lives of six residents.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone," Strange said. "That is a very tragic situation, and we want to continue to be as helpful and responsive as we can. We stand ready to do that."
Montgomery Department of Public Safety director Chris Murphy said the resources are coordinated through the state Homeland Security office and Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
Murphy complimented the mayor and city council for helping to provide the area with the equipment and training of individuals who are able to aid Montgomery and its sister cities.
He also said the city initially deployed rescue trucks up to the Lake Guntersville area last night before getting the call to go to Elmore County, where he said there are roughly 18 officers right now.
