Springfield Clinic donates new trailer to emergency response team

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — When disaster strikes in Springfield, the Laborers' Disaster Response Team (LDRT) are often some of the first people on scene. They are assigned through the city to help clear roads and get people to emergency assistance.

"When there is chaos everywhere, you need professionals who will come in and step up and not be afraid to do the job, no matter what conditions they are walking into," said Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell.

Related Links

When the derecho happened in June and multiple tornadoes touched down in the county, people all over the community were impacted. This included staff from the Springfield Clinic, whose homes or cars were damaged and couldn't make it to work.

"We get on our phones and start text messaging each other and saying, 'Who's got a truck? And who's got a chainsaw?' And how can we assemble it to go help the people who've been impacted," said Zach Kerker, Chief Brand and Advocacy Officer for Springfield Clinic. "By the time we'd found a truck, and the chainsaw LDRT had showed up with professionals and 15 chainsaws and all the things required to come in and handle the situation."

Kerker said after that incident, they realized how important the LDRT was for community members. To help support the group of 120 volunteers, the Springfield Clinic donated a large utility trailer to help with rescue efforts.

"This trailer allows us to get critical assets in deep to a disaster zone that expedite our deployment and our reaction to help the community," said Brad Schaive, the Deployment Captain and Director of LDRT. "Where we specialize is being able to go on to those private properties, work with the homeowners, and make sure that those men and women can get to EMS."

Schaive said the trailer will hold essential materials like saws, ladders, axes, and personal protective equipment. It will also act as a control zone when separate teams are sent throughout communities.

The LDRT is staffed by volunteers and financed completely by donations.