Photo By Senior Master Sgt. William Buchanan | Florida Air National Guardsmen from the 125th Fighter Wing assist citizens with...... read more read more
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STARKE, Fla. - Florida Air National Guardsmen greet and assist citizens with special needs at a shelter opened at the Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, yesterday.
The Guardsmen provide both physical and emotional support for all citizens seeking refuge from Hurricane Irma.
“We meet them at their cars and bring everything in for them so they’re not having to deal with it,” said Tech. Sgt. Mark Collins, 125th Fighter Wing avionics maintenance specialist. “They can come and just kind of ease the transition in."
The Guardsmen wait by the street for shuttles and vans to arrive so they can help them out of their vehicles, carry all their belongings and medical equipment inside, and help them settle into the shelter.
“We’re just walking around handing out smiles,” said Senior Airman Sierra Cunningham, 125th Fighter Wing aircraft weapons systems.
The high school is one of six special needs shelters, and one of 19 total shelters opened in Duval County. Special needs shelters are equipped with backup generators and running power outlets throughout to provide care for people with feeding tubes, respiratory issues, transplants, and any other critical needs in the event of a power outage.
The American Red Cross manages the shelters. Along with the Guard, volunteers from the Mayo Clinic, Animal Care & Protective Services and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office offer services for shelter occupants.
Chief Master Sgt. Alan Secrest, 125th Fighter Wing aircraft weapons systems and shelter management, said he encouraged all volunteers to take the time to get to know the citizens seeking shelter here. He said he wants the Airmen to get personal with people to get their minds off what is really going on outside.
“You don’t know what kind of impact you’re going to have on these people,” Secrest said. “At least for that moment, you can take their minds off the situation that they’re in.”
The Florida National Guard is fully mobilized, with more than 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen activated and positioned around the state. These are already helping at more than 200 shelters statewide, and will continue to assist however needed and requested by the counties.
"It’s our community,” Secrest said. “We’re neighbors; we’re here for you."
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2017 12:46 |
| Story ID: | 247635 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 506 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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