Austell public safety officers recognized for 2009 flood rescue efforts

It seems there's nothing rewarding about the Georgia floods of 2009.

Thousands of homes were damaged as a result of the flood, and many of the families who lived in those homes are still displaced. The families of the nine who died across the state last year have celebrated their second Thanksgiving without their loved ones. The students of Clarkdale Elementary are halfway through a year that saw them split up and sent to other area schools.

But Anne Ervin, director of administration of Puckett EMS, found something. She felt that the quick response, teamwork and dedication of the Austell Fire and Police departments during the worst of the flood and after needed recognition.

This October, the Austell Police and Fire departments received recognition for their "heroic rescue efforts," as Ervin stated in her nomination letter.

The South Cobb division of the Cobb Chamber awarded the departments the South Cobb Council Public Safety Award of Merit, after being nominated by Ervin.

Though there were deaths elsewhere in Georgia, Ervin wrote in her letter that it was "due to the incredible teamwork among the personnel for the City of Austell, no fatalities occurred due to the flooding" in South Cobb.

City Fire Chief Tim Williams also noted that no one in the area was badly injured, either, "and that's amazing."

From 5 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2009, until their last call at 2 a.m. the following day, the public safety officers worked tirelessly to rescue residents from their homes or help in any way that they could.

They slept at their stations or in their offices, only to begin again at 5:30 a.m.

By that time, the floodwaters were continuing to rise and the rescue workers had only one way out of the city, although none of them were going home anyway.

"It's our job," said Williams, who added that he "was surprised at the outreach of the community."

Within the city, the residents showed tremendous outpouring of support, as well as surrounding the city, Williams said. City residents helped each other with belongings, moving and transportation. Some volunteers from Paulding County even brought boats.

What also stood out to Williams was the compassion that people showed "for the loss," the loss of a place to call home, the loss of belongings, the loss of stability, he said.

He remembered that many of the city firemen helped people remove their belongings and returned again and again to the homes of the residents who initially refused to leave.

Williams is quick to point out that the work done during the flood was not just by city police and firemen, but by public works employees and City Mayor Joe Jerkins as well.

"All the employees in the city, not only public safety, stood out. They went over and beyond," said Williams.

"I was one of many. Anything we did, we went through him (Jerkins.) He was our Incident Commander, and he worked tirelessly himself."

Ervin was also presented the same award for the many projects she supports by fundraising and volunteering at Harmony Leland, Riverside Primary, Bryant Primary and others.