May 20 Tornado

A Tinker Fire and Emergency Services crew responds to the May 20 tornado that struck Moore, Okla. Twelve base firefighters and one safety officer were immediately dispatched to assist with rescue activities in the vicinity of 19th street and Interstate 35 in Moore, and one surgeon was dispatched to OU Medical Center. More help has been provided overnight with lights, vehicles, water trucks and volunteer Airmen are preparing to assist with crowd control and recovery efforts. (Photo courtesy of Tinker Fire and Emergency Services)

Tinker provides assistance to personnel, tornado recovery effort

Published May 21, 2013
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- After yesterday's tornado, Tinker is supporting the community, fellow Airman and Sailors, and their families impacted by the devastating tornado that occurred May 20, said base leadership.

Twelve base firefighters and one safety officer were immediately dispatched to assist with rescue activities in the vicinity 19th and Interstate 35 in Moore, and one surgeon was dispatched to OU Medical Center. More help has been provided overnight with lights, vehicles, water trucks and volunteer Airmen are preparing to assist with crowd control and recovery efforts. More details will be provided as they become available.

Col. Steven Bleymaier, commander of the 72nd Air Base 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 (A&FRC) to stand up the Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) 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."

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

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

A brochure on community resources is available here.