Smyrna Fire Department Jumped in to Assist Tornado Victims and Now You Can Too

In the days following the tornadoes that devastated the Southeast last week, many Smyrna and Vinings residents were left wondering what to do. State and local government officials are advising them to help others rebuild and help themselves by preparing for future natural disasters.

Some communities in North Georgia are struggling to pick up the pieces. Ringgold is one such community, as in the town of about 2,500 people, eight died and another 30 were injured.

A fire truck and crew from were dispatched to Ringgold at 4:30 a.m. last Thursday to help with search and rescue efforts, said Smyrna City Councilman Mike McNabb at Monday night’s city council meeting.

The dispatch came from Georgia Mutual Aid Group, a network that connects fire departments from throughout Georgia.

“Your immediate mutual aid and if you need more, you can call GMAG,’’ said Smyrna Fire Chief Jason Lanyon. “They have a duty officer that’s on duty 24/7 and you can call and make a request and they will actually find the help you need and send it to you.”

Lanyon was not dispatched to Ringgold, but learned of the devastation from a Smyrna firefighter who lives in the city and the other firefighters who responded to the dispatch.

“From what I understand it’s utter devastation,” Lanyon said. “I’ve heard news media say half the city is gone. I haven’t been there; I haven’t seen it. I can tell from the firefighter that lives up there and the guys that came back from there that there are some parts that are just completely destroyed. And there’s just house after house after house in the residential areas and the business district has buildings collapsed, roofs torn off buildings.”

Lanyon and McNabb advised citizens to take this time to prepare for future natural disasters by preparing an emergency preparedness kit.

“We would hope that would never happen, but if it does, I would hope you would begin today to take steps to become self-sufficient, McNabb said. “And in so doing, do so in an attitude that you might have to provide not only for your immediate household, but for a couple of your neighbors as well. Ultimately we are responsible for one another.''

Lanyon also advised citizens to heed and to keep informed from news outlets.

 “The key to surviving in catastrophic disasters is being well prepared and responding quickly and appropriately,” Lanyon said.

State Rep. Stacey Evans (D-Smyrna), a native of Ringgold, is collecting donations of clothes, bottled water, non-perishable food and personal care items at at the Smyrna Community Center.

Evans called the damage to her hometown “widespread” and will be taking the donations to a church in Ringgold this weekend.

Residents of Smyrna and Vinings can also help victims of the tornadoes’ devastation by donating supplies at at 3426 South Cobb Drive in Smyrna. Express Oil Change has partnered with the Atlanta Braves Foundation to raise awareness, money and supplies for the Salvation Army.

A list of items needed include household items (laundry detergent, bleach, towels, bed sheets, blankets); toiletries (toothpaste, mouthwash, body soap, deodorant, lotion, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, razors, toilet paper); paper kitchen products (disposable dishes, utensils, cups, paper towels); baby products (diapers, formula, baby powder); cleaning supplies (mops, brooms, Lysol, trash bags); flashlights; first-aid kits; non-perishable food items (canned/packaged food, bottled water, sports drinks); and school supplies (paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, lunch boxes, book bags, folders, etc.).

The Braves have also donated $100,000 to the Salvation Army’s Southeastern tornado relief efforts.