08292017 - Harvey Assistance (Aug. 2017) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENTON Brian Daskam • (940) 349-7567 • Brian.Daskam@cityofdenton.com
City of Denton Aids in Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery
DENTON, TX,August 29, 2017—The City of Denton has received many inquiries on how the
community and residents can support those in need following Hurricane Harvey. The
information below provides information on how individuals can help and the City's response
efforts and assistance to the region.
How can I help?
Provide Aid to First Responders
The City of Denton Fire Department will be collecting donations to be sent to first responders
that have deployed to aid in disaster recovery from Hurricane Harvey.
Beginning on Tuesday, August 29, donations will be accepted at Central Fire Station, 332 East
Hickory St, Denton, TX. All donations will be transported to the first responders from Denton
County who are currently assigned to recovery efforts.
Due to limited access, and the possibility of no basic services available, only the following items
are requested and will be accepted at the donation drop off site:
• Bottled water • Hand sanitizer
• Powdered drink mix packets • Insect repellant
• Dry,packaged snacks (beef jerky, trail • General hygiene products (toilet paper,
mix, energy/granola bars) toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
• Wet wipes • Batteries (all sizes)
Central Fire Station will be open for donation drop-offs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. till
6 p.m. If you would like to drop off a donation outside of those hours,please contact Fire
Administration at(940) 349-8840.
Provide a Financial Donation
The fastest and easiest way to help right now is through a financial donation to the disaster relief
charity of your choice (American Red Cross, Salvation Army,North Texas Food Bank, Trusted
World), and other reputable charities. This list is not exhaustive.
Please do not take items directly to the shelters, unless a shelter is specifically requesting certain
items and goods. There is simply not enough staff or volunteers in the effected and support areas
to sort, manage, and distribute the voluminous amount of items that are donated.
How is the City helping?
Last week, in response to the pending weather event, the Denton Fire Department received a
request for support from the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The following
resources have since been deployed:
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com JDD 800-735-2989)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENTON Brian Daskam • (940) 349-7567 • Brian.Daskam@cityofdenton.com
• On Friday, Denton Fire deployed a Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF 1) six person swift water
team with a rescue boat, which is a state owned asset housed at Denton Fire Station 2. To
date, the Denton boat team performed over 450 boat rescues in the southeast portion of
Houston and Richmond.
• Three members of a TX-TF 1 Type I structural team were requested and reported for
deployment to College Station on Friday before forming a larger task force and traveling
to a designated staging point. The structural team rode out the hurricane in a Texas
National Guard maintenance facility in Robstown. Yesterday, the team reported that all
structures in Aransas County have been searched and the team was being transported to
the Houston area to begin search and water rescues.
• On Sunday, Denton Fire deployed an additional four members on a structural strike team
along with a Battalion Chief as a strike team leader through a TIFMAS (Texas Intrastate
Fire Mutual Aid System) request. These personnel have traveled to Rockport and the
primary assignment is to provide relief for the local volunteer fire departments as they
assess and begin recovery. A significant increase in call volume for the impacted areas
are expected in the coming weeks as power is restored.
• One other member of the Denton Fire Department and one member of the Denton Police
Department were deployed to the impacted area as reserves in the Army National Guard.
The Denton Fire Department member is a specialist on a CH-47 Chinook aircraft and
expects a minimum two week deployment.
Other City departments including Denton Municipal Electric and the Street, Water, Wastewater,
and Drainage Departments have been in regular contact with the North Texas Council of
Governments and other appropriate organizations to offer resources and receive request for aid.
The City of Denton will receive federal reimbursement for costs related to providing requested
aid. Additional requests are anticipated in the coming days, and the City will continue to provide
updates through press releases.
Contact: Brian Daskam, (940) 349-7567, brian.daskam@cityofdenton.com
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and get connected at www.dentononline.com.
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com JDD 800-735-2989)