Highland Village Sends Resources to the Gulf Coast

Highland Village Fire personnel, at the request of the State of Texas and in conjunction with the Denton County Hurricane Task Force, head to the Gulf Coast to assist with the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. Highland Village’s Assistant Fire Chief and two firefighter/paramedics are currently stationed in Vidor, Texas in response to Hurricane Ike.

In preparation for the potential effects of Hurricane Ike on North Texas, Highland Village activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the newly constructed Fire Station. “This was the first time we activated the EOC at the new fire station and we were able to operate under calm conditions as the storm did not adversely affect our area,” stated City Manager Michael Leavitt. “We were fortunate to have the opportunity to test the new EOC under these conditions and confirm the capability of our staff and the EOC.” Mayor Costa added, “We saw that our new EOC and City staff are prepared and ready to provide services and render aid to our citizens in the event a catastrophe hits Highland Village.”

The Denton County Office of Emergency Management also activated its EOC and coordinated the efforts of the Denton County Hurricane Task Force. In addition to the Highland Village personnel, the following Denton County resources were deployed to the Gulf Coast:

 

• City of Lewisville – 6 personnel, Zodiac Boat, Quint Engine, F350
• City of Highland Village – 3 personnel, Light/Air Truck, ¾ ton Pick-up
• City of Denton – 4 personnel, Fire Engine, F350
• Town of Double Oak – 4 personnel, Fire Engine Town of Flower Mound – 9 personnel, Fire Engine, Command Vehicle, ¾ ton Pick-up Truck, 3,000 gal Water Tender
• City of Carrollton – 8 personnel, Rescue Boat, Staff Veh., Medic, Suburban
• Denton County Sheriff – 6 personnel, 2 Expeditions, Pick-up Truck
• Denton County Emergency Services – 2 personnel, Mobile Command Post
• Denton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service – 4 personnel, Communications Trailer
• Lake Cities – 4 personnel, Fire Engine
• City of Little Elm – 4 personnel, ATV, Brush Truck
• Town of Coppell – 7 personnel, 2-Ton Crew Cab, Heavy Rescue Vehicle, 20 foot Trailer

In addition, Denton Municipal Electric (DME) is deployed on Sunday to Liberty, Texas with the following resources 18 DME employees to assist with the restoration of electric power:

• 4 bucket trucks
• 2 diggers
• 4 pick-up trucks
• Denton Police had 1 squad car and 2 officers escort DME to Liberty, TX

Several Denton County communities already deployed the following resources on September 9 to assist with SAR preparation efforts in the Gulf Coast:

 

• 1 ambulance and 4 medics from the City of The Colony
• 2 ambulances, a Ford F250 Truck, a Boat and 4 medics and several swift water rescue team members from the City of Denton.
• Mobile Command Unit “Goliath” and 2 emergency managers from Denton County.
  

The Denton County Office of Emergency Management stood up three shelters for evacuees arriving via buses and private vehicles. The shelters are being managed by the Red Cross.