Chapel Hill Town Council recently recognized town staff who have traveled to western North Carolina and aided in Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Chapel Hill mayor Jess Anderson celebrated town employees across various departments who “have gone the extra mile, and are still going the extra mile to assist with recovery efforts.”
“We want you to know how very proud and deeply appreciative we are to each of you,” Anderson said. “We know that deploying in these situations means time away from your home and families, and that you’ve been working through difficult conditions and situations.”
The mayor first highlighted the town’s emergency management team, who deployed ahead of the storm to help prepare shelters. The team also worked at the state emergency operation center to coordinate a statewide response and support to first responders, Anderson said.
Team members from the fire department deployed to Haywood and Mitchell counties to assist with swift water rescues, the search of collapsed structures, land searches, and other rescue services, the mayor continued.
The police department sent teams to Asheville and Hendersonville to help with a variety of security needs, and the town’s Public Works and Parks and Recreations departments brought heavy equipment to Hendersonville to help remove fallen trees and clear roads.
Finally, Anderson said crisis response staff members deployed to state emergency operation centers to support those returning from devastation. Assisting with hurricane relief can be traumatizing, the mayor told 97.9 The Hill on Thursday. She said it means seeing difficult things in a community that has been ravaged.
“[Town staff] said it’s stuff that is wild for us to imagine as civilians. It is devastating” she said. “It’s hard for them, even though they see it and they’re trained for it. So it’s a really trying thing for them and they are dedicated to service and they do it, but it’s not an easy thing.”
Town staff are still helping communities now, the mayor added, and she said Chapel Hill plans to continue deploying as long as there is a need for it.
“Having been on calls with mayors from Asheville, Boone, and other impacted communities, I will share that they are deeply appreciative of all the support they’re receiving from across our state,” Anderson said. “It’s a testament to who we are.”
To view the full town council meeting, click here.
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