City Response

Last weekend, first responders with the Richardson Fire Department were among the first to be called up to prepare for rescue efforts and were placed on standby at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. As soon as the storm cleared, they were sent in to the impact area to assist with search and rescue efforts in Aransas County and moved east during this week until they were stationed in Houston. Today they remain in Houston continuing to help with search and rescue while one member is also involved in helping to run the emergency 

services staging area at NRG Stadium. It is one of the largest multi-jurisdictional coordinated activations in Texas history. At the location they are staging and deploying ambulances, state troopers, AmBus, ambulance strike teams, mobile medical units, medical helicopters and command elements.

Members of the Richardson Police Department are also assisting. One 911 operator was sent to the Houston area and officers are stationed around the clock at the Mega Shelter for evacuees in Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. Members of the City’s Office of Emergency Management are also serving on staggered shifts at the Dallas Emergency Operations Center and two Richardson police officers are providing aid through their service with the Texas National Guard.

In all, 17 emergency services personnel from Richardson are currently serving as part of the relief efforts, and more personnel from the City are expected to be activated in the coming days.

Community Efforts
Meanwhile, the Richardson community also has many other activities underway through local agencies, houses of worship and individual relief efforts.

The Richardson Independent School District collected supplies at all of its campuses through yesterday and tonight will be selling “CANTSTOPLOVE” t-shirts at the Wildcat-Ram and Eagle-Mustang Stadiums tonight during the high school football games. 

The University of Texas at Dallas also held campus events all week through the Office of Student Volunteerism, and the Network for Community Ministries is continuing to accept supplies and donations at its volunteer and distribution center located at 741 S Sherman St.

How You Can Help
Emergency workers in the impacted area wish to express their sincere thanks for the outpouring of support from people wishing to help. The fastest, easiest and most needed way to help is through a financial donation to your charity of choice. Agencies like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are able to leverage tax-deductible donations to make a greater impact to hurricane victims.

Donations of hygiene and other items can also be made. Emergency workers ask that you coordinate delivery of materials through one of the agencies listed in the attached flyer or directly between houses of worship or other groups and to please avoid sending unsolicited assistance to the impact area or to shelters due to a lack of ability for aid workers to sort, inventory, and distribute items. Please feel free to print and share the flyer as needed with anyone in your social networks.