Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department returns home

WETUMPKA, AL (WSFA) - If you drive down Mount Hebron Road, a crumpled piece of tin is the only indication of April's deadly tornado.  But this hasn't always been the case.

Two days after the storm, WSFA 12 News walked through the wreckage that was once the Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department with Captain Tammy Colley.

Colley, "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger.  We are still here, and we're coming back stronger."

Three months later, station two is standing tall, again.

In a matter of weeks, plumbing and electrical work will be completed, and the fire trucks will return to service.

Chief Steve Bruney, "We've had a wonderful response from the community, and Elmore County."

Bruney says the community donated tens of thousands of dollars to help rebuild the station.  Not to mention other volunteer departments, some that traveled from as far away as Florida to help clean up the debris.

Despite all the help, Bruney says it's tough to try and rebuild, while protecting local residents at the same time.

"We actually kept one of our trucks at our Assistant Chief's house.  Most response personnel lives in the area.  They would go to his house, and respond to the emergency."

Welcoming home Kowaliga's first responders; bent, but not broken by April's fury.

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