Due to the historic flooding in South Carolina, Rutherford County Fire-Rescue was requested by the State of Tennessee to send personnel with specialized training for swiftwater rescues.

Upon request, Chief Larry Farley of the Rutherford County Fire-Rescue Department sent Firefighters Austin Hill and Mathew Stevens along with other cities and counties in Tennessee to assist in the rescue efforts. Hill and Stevens deployed on Sunday, October 4, 2015 and have been assisting South Carolina agencies in search and rescue efforts.

A request came into the Rutherford County Fire-Rescue Department for a second team on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. The second team consisted of Firefighter John Ingle, Engineer Andy Haston, Firefighter Daniel Alexander, and Firefighter Jack Scoles of the Rutherford County Fire-Rescue Department.

These four firefighters have specialized training in rescue and swiftwater and left Thursday morning October 8, 2015, at 06:00a.m. to meet with other teams in Knoxville, TN for a deployment briefing. The second team is expected to be deployed for five days but this can be extended by an additional 2 days if needed.

The first team will be returning return home on Saturday, October 10, 2015. Rutherford County Fire- Rescue Department will continue its efforts providing support to South Carolina if requested. Chief Farley has expressed his gratitude to the firefighters who have been deployed and for them taking the time away from their homes and families to assist.

"Rutherford County Fire-Rescue earlier this year had its entire full-time staff complete extensive Swiftwater Rescue Training to technician level," said Chief Larry Farley. "The department works in close partnership with Rutherford County's EMS Special Operation Team to provide this valuable resource to the community."