West Texans On Stand-by to Help With Hurricane Alex
By: Stephanie Sobic
Updated: June 30, 2010
On Tuesday we told you about Red Cross volunteers being called out to assist with Hurricane Alex.
As the hurricane gets closer to the coast, more West Texans are on-standby to help out. Once Hurricane Alex hits, we can expect some rain out here in West Texas. But, that's pretty much it. So that's why were sending our resources to them and for one Midland fire fighter this isn't his first time to gear up for a hurricane.
“I responded 2 years ago with tropical storm Edouard," says David Hickman with the Midland Fire Department.
Hickman is part of the state's rapid response task force. They respond to all types of emergencies, from hurricanes to even tornados.
"The hurricane is actually going to arrive in Mexico, but all the water tributaries in Mexico and also in the Texas area all feed into the Rio Grande. So they're concerned about flooding and also little spin off tornados," explains Hickman, who has been ready to go since Tuesday morning.
"We're expected to be deployed for at least 14 days, so we have to pack for that," says Hickman.
Not knowing if there will be electricity or even running water, Hickman's truck is packed full. After responding to Hurricane Edouard 2 years ago, Hickman says he knows what to expect.
"Chaos, a tremendous amount of debris fields. People are displaced they have no place to stay, so when you arrive they're trying to come to you also," says Hickman.
Being part of the planning division in the task force, Hickman says he's there to help organize.
"As my supervisor says we try to put our arms around the chaos and try to bring some order into that area," explains Hickman.
Now, it's just a waiting game for some fire fighters in West Texas, they could be called to assist with Hurricane Alex, at any minute.
"Also part of our team is with the Odessa fire…So, it’s a group effort. Other areas, Big Spring and Fort Stockton, everybody in our region provide team members for this," says Hickman.
Along with organizing, Hickman says the task force also helps victims in the hurricane; providing them with food, water and a place to go that's out of the weather until things start to settle down.
