Swift Water Rescue Team adds dive team

A dive team, which is an extension of the Cocke County Swift Water Rescue (SWR) Team, has been created, according to the Cocke County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA).

Each diver was required to complete the SWR technician course from Rescue 3 International and each has served on the SWR team. The team members were hand selected by CCEMA Director Joe Esway based on skill set, morality, discretion, experience and physical ability.

Cocke County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy Randy Forbes is team leader while CCSO Lt. Danny Ray Reece was chosen as a fellow diver and training officer. According to Esway, these two men were pulled from their SWR teams to focus on the dive team and will remain in reserve as SWR technicians.

There must always be at least two divers in the water and a third diver to promote immediate rescue. For that reason, Esway completed the training and certification with the team. As budgeting permits, two more divers will be added to the team.

Alpha Divers, based out of Knoxville, was the company chosen to train the team. The company delivers course material and certification through The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and offers Open Water Certification, Advanced Open Water Certification, Rescue Diver Certification and a host of other courses the team can grow into as they evolve and enhance capabilities, Esway added.

“They have offered us competitive pricing for our training and gear and will provide periodic inspection, maintenance and service of the team’s equipment,” Esway said.

“Until now, missions requiring underwater recovery have been completed with coordinated effort between Emergency Management, Swift Water Rescue, Newport Rescue Squad, the Sheriff’s Office and supporting agencies. The creation of the dive team is an asset that brings enhanced skills, equipment and capabilities to each situation that will result in a more expedient and safer outcome,” he said.

Funding for the dive team, like the SWR team, comes from the river safety operating budget as well as from federal and state grants.

Esway said he is grateful to Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis, the county budget committee and the Cocke County Legislative Body (CLB) for their support regarding the dive team’s creation.