CRAWFORD COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Just days before the eclipse, the Emergency Operations Center in Crawford County has been cooking meals to make sure all first responders have food during such a pivotal week in the state, using money they raised themselves.
"We’re providing support for our local first responders, police fire EMS is providing meals for them. And so, as Crawford County Search and Rescue, we decided that would be something that we would be able to provide, and we've purchased the meals and things that we're preparing for those police and fire and EMS people while they're working extra shifts during the eclipse," said Tim Jones, the President of Crawford County Search and Rescue.
With the influx of people coming to the county for the eclipse, first responders may not have much time to eat. That's why it's important for them to go get a quick meal at the operation center.
“Often see how many people may be in our county, emergency personnel may not have the time to sit in a restaurant, and it might take longer during this period to get a meal and we wanted them to be able to walk in and just be able to sit here and eat and get back to their job,” said Veronica Robins, the Director of Emergency Management at the Emergency Operations Center.
And in crucial moments, this could save them valuable time.
“I think that will ease that pain of being able to go get a breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or even a snack, and keep them out there where they can, you know, take care of us as a community," Robins said.
The meals aren't just for Crawford County responders, but first responders in surrounding counties as well.
“We understand today that Crawford County had their emergency operations center filled with volunteers but also food to support emergency personnel of law enforcement. And so, with that support, we're here to come over and support them and be very thankful for the food that they provide for emergency personnel,” said Sebastion County Deputy Director of Emergency Management Travis Cooper.
On top of providing the food, the EOC and Search and Rescue teams say they've been preparing for months and have been busy with getting ready for visitors.
"We're making preparations in the event that we do need to go out and help the visitors that are coming to the state for the eclipse in the event that you know there's congestion and they run out of you know what they need to have on the side of the road." Jones said.
The Search and Rescue office is located at the emergency operations center in Van Buren, and it will be open 24/7 through Tuesday morning serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks, and a place for first responders to go during or in between shifts.
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