The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is aiding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s survivor outreach effort after the Dec. 9 tornadoes in the Fort Campbell, Ky., and Clarksville, Tenn., areas.
Fort Campbell PX General Manager Stephen Shaw said the request was routed through the Fort Campbell Garrison. A memorandum of understanding was set up between the Exchange and FEMA to allow the agency to operate out of an empty suite until Feb. 1. Operation hours will mirror the store’s schedule.
Shaw said there was concern from FEMA about reaching military retirees. The agency selected the PX because it’s an easily accessible, central location in Fort Campbell.
“Their idea was, this is the busiest time of the year and a lot of retirees are visiting Fort Campbell to do their shopping at the PX,” Shaw said. “FEMA looks at the PX as that centralized location everyone knows about and goes to.”
The PX will provide additional support by spreading the word through signage in store, on social media and in radio announcements. “All the heavy lifting of interacting and helping the folks impacted by the tornadoes will be done by FEMA, so we are in a support role,” Shaw said.
The storms, which struck near Clarksville on Dec. 9, killed seven and injured 60. More than 1,000 homes were damaged and about 40,000 people were left without power for about four days.
Shaw said the Fort Campbell team didn’t miss a beat. “At the end of the day, we were still here for the community who needed us,” Shaw said. “The team responded to what the customers were looking for. They hit the ground running. I’m proud of the team.”
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