Assistance available for personnel affected by Oklahoma tornado

Published May 21, 2013
Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Following the May 20, 2013, tornado, Tinker Air Force Base's primary concern at this time is preparing to support communities, fellow Airmen and Sailors, and their families impacted by the devastating tornado that occurred, said base leadership.

Twelve base firefighters and one safety officer were dispatched immediately to assist with rescue activities in the vicinity of 19th Street and Interstate 35 in Moore, Okla., and one surgeon was dispatched to Oklahoma University Medical Center. Further assistance has been provided and units are preparing to assist with volunteers in rescue and recovery efforts. More details will be provided as they become available.

Col. Steven Bleymaier, commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing, issued the following statement to installation personnel May 20.

"In light of the devastating tornadoes that have hit the Oklahoma City area, I tasked the Airman & Family Readiness Center to stand up the Emergency Family Assistance Center 24/7 to ensure Tinker personnel and their families receive effective support during this most difficult time. If your personnel need immediate assistance with food, clothing or emergency financial assistance, please contact the Tinker EFAC at (405) 739-2747.

Additionally, if anyone would like to 'adopt' a Tinker family who has been directly affected by the tornadoes by offering temporary shelter in their home, please contact the EFAC and provide them with the volunteer's name, the number of family members they can accommodate and the length of time they will be willing to offer the assistance."

A brochure on community resources for civilian employees is available here.

The Oklahoma 2-1-1 Call Line is also available to everyone for non-emergency disaster-relief referrals.

More information regarding assistance and volunteering is available via the Red Cross.