Trump Praises Atlanta Police, Fire For I-85 Collapse Response

By White House Pool Report

President Donald Trump took time out of his day to recognize the first responders who put their lives on the line to battle a dangerous fire that led to the collapse of the Interstate 85 bridge over Piedmont Road in Midtown Atlanta.

A total of 14 uniformed officers and fire chiefs from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol huddled around the desk inside the Oval Office Thursday, joining U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the president during the April 13 recognition ceremony.

Trump was roughly 20 minutes late to the gathering, so Chao made small talk with the group as they waited for the president's arrival.

“He wanted to do it earlier, but this was the first opportunity he had,” she said. "Just to be here in the room, what a treat."

POTUS entered the room at 2:26 p.m., and was accompanied by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who lingered in the back near the door.

Once inside, two Atlanta first responders presented Trump with a ceremonial golden-headed firefighter's axe that was on display on a side table.

"I like that, I heard about this," Trump said, joking that he wanted to keep it on permanent display in the Roosevelt Room. "This is beautiful."

In a prepared statement, Trump told the first responders that he's honored to be in their presence inside the White House.

"The heroes who responded to the terrible bridge collapse on I-85 two weeks ago in Atlanta, that was something," he said. "The whole world was watching that one. Today we’re joined by members of the Georgia State Patrol, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the Atlanta Police Department -- great people.

"On that day, George State Police and Atlanta Police took fast action to get motorists away from danger. Then our brave firefighters battled 40-foot flames -- which was incredible."

Those firefighters were able to retreat just moments before the bridge collapsed, a devastating development that's had a ripple effect around the region.

"That was an amazing thing, and everyone was watching," Trump continued. "Your skill and courage saved many lives, represented true strength and the true strength of America. Really great job, fellows. Great job."

Trump's administration has made $10 million in emergency relief funds available to the Peach State to fast-track the reconstruction of the bridge. He later noted the bridge's collapse is a "painful reminder of the critical importance of infrastructure," and that his administration will begin to tackle that elephant in the room in the coming weeks.

"We’re committed to funding a massive nationwide infrastructure program to repair construct roads and bridges of the future of this country," the president added. "This is necessary as a matter of safety and economic growth. And it’s necessary to improve our quality of life as Americans. We will also continue to seek proper funding for law enforcement and public safety in our country. On behalf of the entire country, I salute you, really amazing people, and I honor your service. I pledge that you will have the support of the country, the police, firefighters, first responders, you will always have the support of President Trump, I think you know that very well. I thank you for the hard work and fast action."

Those attending Thursday's ceremony include: Fire Chief Joel Baker, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department; Battalion Chief Douglas Hatcher, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department; Battalion Chief James McLemore, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department; Captain Arthur Adkins, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department; Sergeant Anthony Campbell, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department; Assistant Chief of Police Rodney Bryant, Atlanta Police Department; Sergeant Ryan Heald, Atlanta Police Department; Officer Ryan Severance, Atlanta Police Department; Officer Michael Baker, Atlanta Police Department; Sergeant First Class Thomas Kustra, Georgia State Patrol; Sergeant First Class John Cronin, Georgia State Patrol; Trooper First Class 2 Thomas Burkett, Georgia State Patrol; Trooper First Class 2 Harold Tisdale, Jr., Georgia State Patrol; Trooper First Class 1 John Giunta, Georgia State Patrol; and Trooper First Class 1 Kendell McKoy, Georgia State Patrol.

See also:

• I-85 Collapse: State Offers Incentives To Finish Rebuild By May 21
• I-85 Collapse: Expect 20-Percent Spike In Traffic Starting April 10
• I-85 Collapse: GDOT Announces Reopening Date
• I-85 Collapse: Suspect Indicted on Arson Charge
• I-85 Collapse: Deal Requests More Money From Feds, Piedmont Road Reopens
• I-85 Collapse Latest: Homeless Man With Long Arrest Record Charged With Setting Fire; 2 Others Arrested For Related Crimes

Thursday's meeting comes on the heels of the Georgia DOT offering incentives exceeding $3.1 million for the contractor to deliver the reconstruction project before the June 15 date of expected completion. The state will offer Marietta-based C.W. Matthews, the company chosen to lead the project, incentives exceeding a $1 million to complete the rebuild before June 15.

If completed by May 25, the company will receive an additional $1.5 million. If completed by May 21, they will receive $2 million and an additional $200,000 for each day completed before May 21; up to a maximum of $3.1 million.

The fire and collapse of the bridge took out the entire northbound side of the interstate, but heavily damaged the southbound lanes of the highway. As a result, crews will need to replace about 350 feet of concrete on both the northbound and southbound side of the interstate.

Three people, Sophia Brauer, Barry Andrew Thomas and Basil Eleby, were arrested and charged in connection the incident. Brauer and Thomas were cited for criminal trespass while Eleby was later indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on one count each of arson in the first degree and criminal damage to property in the first degree.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Thomas told officials he saw Eleby "set a chair on fire after he placed it on top of a shopping cart. This fire, the office added, is the initial blaze that led to the bridge's destruction.

The area underneath the bridge served as GDOT's storage point for high-density polyetheline (HDPE) and fiberglass conduit, material GDOT planned to use to install advanced traffic management systems such as cameras, ramp meters and message boards. Commissioner Russell McMurry noted the site was enclosed in a locked fence and gates, and signs were posted warning against trespassers.

However, that area was "breached by individuals who allegedly trespassed on state property with the devastating outcome we are now dealing with," he previously said.

The highway remains closed between S.R. 400 and the Buford Spring Connector, forcing thousand of motorists to utilize Interstates, 75, 20 and 285 and public transportation as alternatives. The state has also made available various resources residents can utilize to streamline their commute in and around Atlanta, such as GDOT, Georgia 511, Georgia Commute Options, MARTA, and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is providing alternate route options to commercial vehicles and large trucks to help them get through the region. These types of vehicles are also encouraged to only travel through the metro area during overnight hours and take advantage of I-285 to bypass the city.

Images via Georgia Department of Public Safety