On behalf of the Meridian Fire Department, I wish to express my most sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone that assisted the Meridian Fire Department at the fire incident that occurred Monday, Feb. 12, at the Village Apartments, 2015 Mosby Road.

Most of all, I would like to thank Mrs. Cheri Barry and the American Red Cross Key Chapter for providing outstanding support to our firefighters at the fire scene. Mrs. Barry and her team worked tirelessly providing refreshments, food and drinks for the firefighters, as they have done previously at the recent Northwood Apartments fire on Highway 39 North. This gives our firefighters the ability to get back to fighting the fire much quicker.

I also would like to thank the Backyard Burger restaurant for donating lunch to the firefighters at the fire scene. I know our men greatly appreciated the delicious food. This donation by Backyard Burger to the MFD also benefited the American Red Cross, which was already heavily burdened financially with the assistance they provided to our department, and to the families needing assistance for clothing and temporary shelter.

The Meridian Fire Department and our community cannot thank Cheri Barry and the Red Cross Key Chapter enough for the supportive services they provide at a moment’s notice to the Meridian Fire Department and for the assistance given to the families that have been displaced due to the devastation of fire. Not only did this outstanding organization provide shelter and clothing assistance to the residents who suffered loss at the Village Apartment fire incident on Feb. 12, but also to the families in need during the fire at Northwood Apartments on Sunday, Feb. 4. These are just two of the more visible fires at which the Red Cross helped assist families when they needed it most.

Our department calls the Red Cross anytime we have a residential fire that displaces families. No matter the day or time, their team shows up and does whatever needs to be done to assist us as we fight the fires and give help to families at their greatest time of need.

Our community is truly blessed to have organizations that give of their time and money to help the residents of our community when they need it the most. I hope we never have to call on them again, but I know I will. I also know that they will come and do what they can to make going through a very hard time much easier.



Jeff L. Homan

Fire Chief

Meridian Fire Department