08-20-08 Air Land Emergency Resource Team (ALERT)

The ALERT team working on the pavilion in the background at Rufus L. Stewart Park includes (L-R) Joel Anders, academy staff member and former Michigan resident; Alex Nutter from Oregon; Philip Kilpatrick from upstate New York; Matthew Pratt from Texas; and Henry County resident and project supervisor Wayne Wilhoit.

“We get a lot done when they’re here,” said Wayne Wilhoit, a longtime Henry County resident.  Mr. Wilhoit was solicited by another area resident, Blake Turner, to assist the ALERT team assigned to construct a 20’ x 30’ pavilion at Rufus L. Stewart Park on Simpson Street in McDonough, one of two projects on which an ALERT team worked while in the City.  Mr. Turner has been instrumental in organizing the stay of various ALERT teams in McDonough since their first visit in 1998.

The Air Land Emergency Resource Team (ALERT) is from the ALERT Christian Academy based in Texas.  The academy started as a home school organization with the basic mission of rendering service to governmental leaders through disaster relief and civic service projects.  College age men from across the country attend this academy and are provided training in disaster situations including such elements as EMT training, firefighting, aquatic training, etc.

City employee Chester Allen stands in front of the new 30’ x 60’ shed that was constructed at the City’s maintenance facility by the ALERT team while in McDonough.

Part of their training encompasses a two week deployment wherever and whenever requested to aide and assist.  When a government agency calls and makes known a need that can utilize an ALERT team, the process begins.  McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland contacted the team seeking their assistance on two projects, the park pavilion and the construction of a 30’ x 60’ shed at the City of McDonough maintenance facility on Lawrenceville Street.  

Work began on Labor Day with four ALERT team members constructing the pavilion under the supervision of Mr. Wilhoit while a twelve member team started on the shed at the city’s maintenance facility.   Second Lieutenant Tim Brown, an academy employee who has construction and sheet metal experience, spearheaded the team at the maintenance facility.  “These guys really do get the job done and done well,” said McDonough Public Works Director Gary Barham.  “We certainly appreciate their help.”

ALERT team members were housed at Shingleroof Campground during their stay in McDonough.