S. Zanesville Fire and Police Departments Support Hurricane Helene Victims

ZANESVILLE, OH – The South Zanesville Fire Department and Police Department are coming together to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Russell Taylor, the Chief of the Fire Department and Mark Ross, the Chief of Police, both say after watching the news and seeing the devastation caused from Helene, they knew they needed to help the first responders.

Together they partnered up with Park National Bank to create the Asheville, North Carolina Relief Fund.

“I got concerned about the first responders in that area, like Asheville, NC, and in that surrounding area, what they have to go through, and their families as well,” Ross said. “I understand there is a lot of people hurting there, a lot of families have lost loved ones and what we want to do is something for our first responders because they’re out there working 24 hours a day, working overtime and also have to take care of their own family needs and stuff like that.”

From now until October 15th, local Park National Bank locations will be accepting donations for the fund to then be split between the two departments.

Chief Taylor says the Fire Department will also be collecting old fire equipment like hoses, nozzles, and boots until the end of October.

“They’re down there, but they’re still our brothers and sisters. We’re all brothers and sisters, family comes together,” Taylor said. “And they’re still considered our family. They’re in need, they would help us if we were in that need. There’s a tragic loss of life, not only in citizens but first responders and all have lost a lot of their home goods and it’s basically, start over.”

Chief Taylor says there are also plans to host a “Fill the Boot” event later in the month to further help with the relief fund.