Clarksville, TN – Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan and City Councilman Nick Steward visited the American Red Cross Offices yesterday, to watch as Mayor McMillan to signed a letter authorizing Clarksville Gas and Water (CGW) and the Clarksville Department of Electricity (CDE) to offer assistance to the 77 victims of the Apartment Fire at the Eagle’s Crest Apartments on Jack Miller Blvd on Tuesday.
“We wanted to use the avenues we have within the city to provide assistance to the displaced residents. We have a city code provision that allows in tragedies such as this for the Department of Gas and Water to waive the deposit that would be required when they move into a new unit, and also to waive the connection fees.” said Mayor McMillan.
As a result of the Mayor’s request, City utilities will be able to waive deposit and new connection fees for fire victims who are relocating to new addresses in the city. This can save them several hundred dollars in fees. The costs would normally be paid for out of the Red Cross Disaster Assistance funds which are provided to the victims via debit cards ranging in value from $200-$1500 to help meet their immediate needs.
Mayor McMillan then introduced Pat Hickey, the General Manager of the Clarksville Gas and Water Department. He said “The change in municipal code was put into effect during the flood last year, because before that we did not have a method that would allow us to respond to situations such as this. So, I think we made some good changes to give the mayor the needed authority to allow us to provide this assistance.”
Then it was time for Council Member Nick Steward who represents the ward where the fire occurred. He said “I appreciate the Mayor’s office and Gas and Water for coming together to help the residents that were affected by the fire. I also been informed that CDE will also be waiving their fees to any of the residents who are moving as well…” he continued, “Although this was one of the largest losses in North Clarksville in many year, I am thankful that there was no loss of life as a result of this event. Dozens of families lost all of their personal items in a few short hours. I have been impressed with how our community has rallied behind them…”
Some of the organizations Steward recognized for providing assistance after the fire included Little Caesars, Patriot Guard, Keller Williams Reality, Soles for Souls ministries with the YMCA, the Fort Campbell Officers Wives Club, and a lot of other family readiness groups have donated a lot of other items to help the displaced victims.
He also recognized Freeman and Webb, the property management company for the support they are providing to their displaced residents. “Though the families have lost all of their belongings Freeman and Webb have kept in mind that this is about people more than anything else.” They extended hotel stays for all the residents right after the fire. They are hosting a collection site for donations for the victims. The largest need they have is for furniture. They are also starting an Adopt a Family program; anyone interested in participating can 931-431-5257 for more information.
“Seeing the way our community came together to support these families is one of the reasons why I am proud to call Clarksville home. I want to thank everyone out there who have already given, and everyone who is going to give.” said Steward.
Mayor McMillan then closed out the press conference. “We do want to extend our thanks to everyone who banded together. The reason we are here today is due to the actions of the Red Cross and what all they did in the wake of this tragedy. Again we call it a tragedy, but we are so thankful that there was no loss of life as a result of this fire. But often times when you are displaced and you lose all your belongings it is as devastating as anything, and so we appreciate the work that the Red Cross has done to step right in to help the victims of this fire. We want to extend our best wishes to the victims and to let them know that the city is there to stand behind them, to help them make that transition that we know they will have to make to new housing. We believe this is the first step by working with CGW to make sure they’re not having to pay that connection fee or deposit when they move into their new housing.”
A large number of the victims were family members of soldiers deployed with the 101st Airborne Division causing the Red Cross to activate their Emergency Communications Services that provides assistance to Military families in crisis. “People don’t realize we provide emergency communication services to Armed Forces. We were instrumental in helping the clients from the fire to get in touched with their loved ones who were deployed, to let them know that they were ok.” said Julie Campos the Executive Director of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Jamila Weaver was on hand, with her mother and young daughter to hear what the Mayor had to say. Afterwards she spoke with reporters, “I have been thinking of the all the things I no longer have, or can no longer get to,” she said. Being able to talk with people with real empathy, who can truly understand what you are going through is one of the nicest things she said the Red Cross has been able to help her with. “It’s so nice to come down to the Red Cross and be able talk to people who really understand what you are going through.”
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Chapter of the American Red Cross
The Red Cross is the primary agency to help people whose lives have been destroyed by disaster, get on a solid footing again. During this fire assistance has ranged from providing hotel rooms, comfort kits, and disaster assistance funds.
“This First major disaster that I have been through since taking position as Executive Director,” said Campos. So far this year they have responded to 76 fires, and one tornado. “Clarksville has been hit a lot this year,” she said, and it is only the end of March. “We have not recovered yet after the flooding last year, during which We lost the Chapter, and were under water for 10 days.” she said. During the flood the Red Cross was out in the community providing much needed assistance, and shelter, for those in need.
Asked what people can do to help them out the most, Campos replied, “We can always use cash donations, you can also go to our web site, or call our office at 931-645-6401 for information on how to setup a reoccurring donation. You can also earmark the donation for a specific incident, including the Eagles Crest Fire, or the Japan Earthquake.” This is especially important as the The United Way cut the 2010 allocated funds by 100%.
The Clarksville Chapter of the American Red Cross is located at 1760 Madison Street, and services Montgomery, Stewart, and Houston counties; Fort Campbell; and Land Between the Lakes. They do all this with just 2-1/2 paid staff members and the assistance of a dedicated corp of 240 active volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering for the local Chapter of the Red Cross, you can call the Chapter at 931-645-6401. They have a monthly volunteer orientation which give them overview of the organization so you can decide which area of service you would like to go into. Their needs range from disaster response volunteers, to basic administrative tasks.
They hold blood drives at their office every Monday, and on the first Saturday of the month. Call 931-645-6401 for more information. You can follow them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clarksville-Montgomery-County-Red-Cross/122150114485971?sk=info
