Search and rescue teams from Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services and La Vergne Fire Department are among the many headed to flood ravaged Texas to conduct life-saving operations.
Governor Bill Haslam spoke to the 91 total personnel who are headed to help Texas authorities deal with the unprecedented impact of Harvey...
The eight deploying search and rescue teams, plus one support team, from Tennessee hail from 20
The teams include a total of 91 personnel with members from the following agencies:
• Ashland City Fire Department
• Bradley County Fire & Rescue
• Brentwood Fire Department
• Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department
• East Ridge Fire Department
• Dickson Fire Department
• Franklin Fire Department
• Hendersonville Fire Department
• Knox Fire Department
• Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad
• LaVergne Fire Department
• Lebanon Fire Department
• Metro Nashville Fire Department
• Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services
• Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue
• Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services
• Sevierville Fire Department
• Williamson County Emergency Communications Center
• Williamson County Emergency Management Agency
• Williamson County Emergency Medical Services
• Williamson County Sheriffs Office
• Wilson County Emergency Management Agency
• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)
The Tennessee teams will conduct search, rescue, and recovery missions to aid survivors and animals trapped in swift-water and flooded areas of southeast Texas. The teams are equipped to provide basic life support, medical care, and transportation of survivors and animals to safety.
TEMA is sending two district coordinators to assist with coordination and support of the teams throughout the deployment in southeast Texas.
"We are proud Tennessee has so many well-trained search and rescue professionals who selflessly give of themselves to protect lives." said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. "The State of Texas issued a resource request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) network Tuesday for 100 swift-water rescues crews to conduct operations in the state for eight days.
TEMA began assembling the seven Tennessee teams for the request Tuesday afternoon working with local emergency management agencies and the coordinator for the Tennessee Association of Fire Chiefs' Mutual Aid System.
Southeast Texas continues to experience historic flooding, from the record-breaking rainfall of Tropical Storm Harvey. Houston, Texas, has recorded 52 inches of rainfall from Harvey since Saturday. Harvey made landfall for a third time this morning near Cameron, La.
Harvey's remnants are expected to impact Tennessee through Saturday morning. Heavy rainfall of up four inches or more of may cause flash flooding in some areas of Tennessee into the weekend.
TEMA continues to monitor Harvey's forecast track and impact through the agency's 24-hour Watch Point.
