Charlotte Fire Swift Water Rescue Team activated for Hurricane Helene response

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte Fire’s Swift Water Rescue Team has been activated in response to the potential threat from Hurricane Helene.

The team consists of 17 highly trained firefighters who will be deployed to the western part of North Carolina to provide critical support in anticipated flood-prone areas.

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Captain Jeff Bright, the team leader, stated, “We received our activation orders at approximately 4:00 PM this afternoon. Our rendezvous time here is set for 7:00 PM, and we will depart shortly thereafter to stage at an equestrian facility in Tryon, North Carolina. Our expected arrival time is 10:00 PM tonight.”

The deployment consists of a Type 1 swift water team, whose primary mission was to rescue or evacuate individuals stranded by floodwaters.

This activation is part of the Charlotte Fire Department’s ongoing commitment to provide specialized emergency response assistance throughout North Carolina and beyond.

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