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Disaster relief teams roll toward Wilma's path
Brooksville Emergency Response Team members and employees of Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative are on the way.
By MARY SPICUZZA
Published October 26, 2005
BROOKSVILLE - Brooksville police Chief Ed Tincher is not the type who likes to wait around when disaster strikes.
So he didn't hesitate to send members of the Brooksville Emergency Response Team to areas hit by Hurricane Wilma.
On Tuesday, team members left for a staging area to await deployment to Monroe County.
"I send whatever people can adapt easily to what is thrown at them," Tincher said. "I'm proud to say that most of my people can think on their feet."
He said the five BERT "jacks of all trades" teamed up with Mark Tolbert of Hernando County Emergency Management to do whatever work is needed. BERT also sent five vehicles: a mobile command center, a 12-person sleeping unit and tow vehicle, 400-gallon water and 400-gallon wastewater mobile tanks with tow vehicles, and electrical generator and tow vehicle.
"We can bring whatever services they need to them," Tincher said.
Disaster relief is on the way from other Hernando County agencies as well.
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. sent 27 employees to help restore power in Moore Haven in Glades County.
"They have reported to us that there are 150 broken poles," said Ernie Holzhauer, the cooperative's manager of member relations.
The Withlacoochee team consists of linemen, apprentice linemen, supervisors and a mechanic.
They plan to spend about one week working to restore power.
Christian Contractors Association sent representatives to assess disaster relief needs in Martin, Lee, Collier and Hardee counties.
"We'll have plastic tarps, stakes and nails, Living Water (the association's bottled water) chain saws, tractors, and manpower," Christian Contractors president and founder Scott Jager said. "As God provides these resources, we will go wherever he sends us."
Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mspicuzza@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.
[Last modified October 26, 2005, 00:44:15]
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