A trained volunteer with BGCO Disaster Relief works a chainsaw during relief efforts near Boswell. (Photo: Provided)
Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) disaster relief (DR) chain saw crews are working today in the Boswell, Glencoe and Sulphur areas after deadly tornadoes caused massive damage in those areas Monday evening. In addition to helping to clear debris left behind by the storms, trained chaplains are accompanying the teams, ready to offer counseling to families as needed.
State DR Training Coordinator Dave Karr of Norman said the recovery effort is intensive, and assessors are still at work.
“This is a difficult recovery effort to coordinate because the damage is spread out across a wide area of the state,” Karr said. “But, we are honored to serve our neighbors in need, all in the Name of the Lord.”
“To help supervise operations, a command center has been established under the direction of incident commanders Wes and Jean Johnson in Chandler,” Karr added.
While the highly-trained chain saw crews were working, a BGCO tarping crew was on standby in Stillwater, ready to assist, if needed. Attached to that crew is Joe Hartpence, who runs the new BGCO DR drone operation, which enhances the effectiveness of searching for downed trees, extensive damage areas and road blockages.
For information and updates, or to request assistance, visit www.okdisasterhelp.org.