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24.

Meeting Date:	01/08/2013
Update on large fire at International Residence Apartments
Submitted For:	Mary Clark	Submitted By:	Mary Clark, Commissioner Pct. #1
Department:	Commissioner Pct. #1
Agenda Category:	Regular Agenda Items

Information

Agenda Item

Discuss and take possible action regarding large fire at International Residence Apartments located in Precinct One on Dec. 20th, 2012 and pay special recognition to the Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies that responded.

Background

On Dec. 22, 2012 there was a mass evacuation of the International Residence apartment complex in Jollyville at the International Residence Apartment Complex due to a large fire. Through the rapid actions and coordination of fire, law enforcement, and emergency communications staff, resources responded and without hesitation the evacuation was set into motion and the residents of the apartments were advised to immediately evacuate providing no time to grab valuables, medicine, and in most cases even their identification. As a result of the fire and strong winds the fire spread rapidly and destroyed 3 buildings containing a total of 68 units, all but 3 were occupied. Residents evacuated the complex amidst thick smoke unable to see the degree of potential destruction. With assistance from the Red Cross, Austin Disaster Relief Network, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, and numerous Animal Control Officers, a Red Cross Shelter and Disaster Assistance Center were established in the Northwest Fellowship Church.

Through the collaboration and cooperation of multiple local, state, and federal agencies along with multiple Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and the apartment management, a informational meeting was held to brief the displaced residents.This meeting provided the residents with much needed information in a manner that was both compassionate yet very direct. As each of the speakers that participated in the briefing spoke, residents were provided with more and more information and clear direction of the events that would follow. Residents were initially provided the opportunity to return to the site to view the devastation firsthand, hopefully beginning or providing some closure for the days uncertainty. A second briefing was held in the evening and the attendees had more than doubled.

There was an overwhelming level of response and support from not only the public safety agencies but of the entire community. Many of these families have lost almost everything.

Commissioner Birkman would like to commend all the agencies that responded and would like to provide special recognition to the following deputies.

Lt. Robert Gremillion
Sgt. Jason Brautigame
Deputy Jason Brantley
Deputy Jeremy Hammett
Deputy Josh Pearson
Deputy William New
Deputy Lisa Wilhelm
Deputy Ed Hamilton
Deputy Bobby Lewis
Deputy John Pokorny

Fiscal Impact

From/To	Acct No.	Description	Amount

Attachments
InternationalAptFire
Fire

Form Review

Inbox	Reviewed By	Date
County Judge Exec Asst.	Wendy Coco	01/03/2013 02:37 PM
Form Started By: mclark		Started On: 01/03/2013 11:01 AM
Final Approval Date: 01/03/2013