OUR COUNTY
D. GARY DAVIS
COUNTY MAYOR
Bradley County, a Community with a Big Heart for Haiti
On January 12th the world watched as heartbreaking images of human suffering began to flash across our television screens in the aftermath of Haiti’s deadly earthquake. Governments, charitable and relief organizations as well as individuals, began immediately to organize rescue and humanitarian efforts for one of the world’s poorest countries. As Mayor, I am extremely proud of the response from Bradley County.
Three members of Bradley County’s emergency response units are now in Haiti as part of the Tennessee 1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team. DMAT is a group of medical and logistical professionals across Tennessee with the ability to quickly move into a disaster area and provide medical care. Bradley County Paramedics Stan Clark and Gary White, along with Lt. Jimmy Woody with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department flew to Haiti on Monday the 2nd as part of DMAT’s first international deployment. Stan says the team is staying on the grounds of the US Embassy at night for safety reasons. During the day they leave the Embassy Compound and set up tents in their effort to provide as much medical assistance as possible. The team is made up of doctors, nurses, EMT and security personnel and are currently involved in several missions. They are expected to be in Haiti for two weeks.
The 35 member DMAT team is one of many in the United States affiliated with the National Disaster Medical System. Since three of Bradley County’s first responders were asked to participate, I see this as evidence of the high level of professionalism found in our county’s emergency units.
I am also proud of the Haiti response from Bradley County’s private sector. I have received reports of numerous individuals, churches and charitable organizations who have collectively given thousands of dollars for Haiti relief. One of those organizations is Bradley County based Operation Compassion.
Operation Compassion is an international relief organization which had sent 24 ship-type containers of supplies to its warehouses in Haiti a few weeks before the earthquake. Within 72 hours after the quake they began to mobilize volunteers and pouring additional supplies into the country. The supplies include fruit juices, baby food, shoes, paper products, bottled water, cleaning supplies, sleeping bags and tents, hygiene kits and more. Operation Compassion officials say their warehouse in Cleveland is busy loading containers that will be sent to Haiti on almost a daily basis.
It has been almost 4 weeks since the massive quake leveled Port au Prince. Now rescue agencies are beginning to get a better picture of what is needed. But one thing is clear officials say; there will be opportunities to help in Haiti’s recovery for years to come. I have no doubt that Bradley County citizens will continue to respond.
Bradley County is listed among the Top charitable communities in the State… with Tennessee ranking in the top 5 nationally in charitable giving. We are a community with a big heart, dedicated volunteers and unselfish servants. That’s just one more reason I say… Bradley County is Tennessee at its best.