Adrian Emergency Personnel to the Rescue

By SHARON KIESEL & MICHELE BURRIS

A massive tornado, reportedly the deadliest twister in almost 60 years, blasted its way across southwestern Missouri on Sunday, flattening several blocks of homes and businesses in Joplin. Rescue crews immediately began digging through piles of splintered houses and crushed cars in search for victims as residents and business owners frantically began scrambling through the wreckage. At press time, the death toll in Joplin stands at 116. Approximately 130 people are still unaccounted for and the number of deaths are expected to rise.

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney said a call for assistance came through the Jasper County Sheriff’s dispatch immediately following the tornado which struck around 5:30pm. The request trickled up the line to other emergency services. The Adrian rescue crew who made their way south included: Firefighters Ronnie Dennison, Michael Nelson, Pablo Ortiz, Brian Dizney and Police Officer Chris Dillon. Also making their way south were fire departments from Butler, Rich Hill, Amoret and Drexel as well as the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Dizney said the Adrian crew was assigned to search and rescue at a school on Sunday night. When they found no one at that location, they were given detail assignments at various tasks. “I have never seen so much destruction in one place before. It was just weird to look out over the debris field and know that this place used to be filled with trees and homes and now all you see is piles and tree stubs sticking up,” said Dennison.

Chief Dizney said he received numerous calls from citizens asking how they could help, volunteering to go with the fire crew to help in Joplin, to doing anything needed to help the department in Adrian. “The service we provide here...we love doing,” Chief Dizney said. “But the great support we have here in the community is why we do it. I really appreciate the kindness from the public who wanted to know what they could do to help.” Many churches, civic groups, the school, businesses and individuals in and around Adrian have found ways to help the people of Joplin.