Jackson Fire Department collecting bottled water for hurricane victims

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson Fire Department is asking for help from the community to provide bottled water to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The department sent out their request for water on Sunday and by Tuesday afternoon they had received a large response from the area.

“We got about 30 pallets and we still have probably about another 10-20 to pickup from our fire stations,” said Jackson Fire Chief Don Friddle. “The response was tremendous.”

Friddle said the collection resulted from a request by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) for bottled water to be sent to impacted areas.

“The whole goal was to get the drinking water into the hands of the folks that need it as quickly as possible,” said Friddle. “To see the outpouring from the community is just really, really humbling. Then, also, to see our firefighters embrace it. They have totally embraced it. They know there are people in need and they have embraced that need and they’re stepping up to do whatever they can to help.”

He said Jackson residents and first responders understand what it is like to need help from other communities and agencies.

“We have been on the receiving end here in Jackson in the past with several tornadoes and the surrounding communities, East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee. They came to our aide so it’s just our way of paying it back,” said Friddle.

The department has partnered with the Tennessee Technology Center’s truck driving school. The school’s students and instructors will leave with the first load of water Wednesday morning and be carrying it to the TEMA distribution center. The water will then be distributed to the communities in need.

Donations will continue to be collected at the Jackson Fire Department administrative building, located at 720 S. Highland Avenue, through Thursday, October 3, at 6 p.m.

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