PHOTOS: Local response teams return home following Debby relief efforts

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) -A 12-person team from the Tri-Cities returned home on Monday after providing aid to those affected by Tropical Storm Debby.

The team left on Aug. 5 following an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request. This led to the assembly and deployment of the team, which consisted of volunteers from the Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport Fire departments and members from the Washington County/Johnson City EMS.

Dan Wheeley, Washington County/Johnson City EMS Director, said these situations allow the volunteers to gain experience.

“Deployments like this give our team the opportunity to go out and provide as much needed service,” said Wheeley. “But also train, prepare for when things happen here. So if we can support other states [and] jurisdictions and then give our guys some experience, then when they come home and the unfortunate circumstances happen here, they’re better prepared for that.”

The team was trained to assist with a water rescue. Wheeley said this training helped them prepare for what they would see in South Carolina.

“They had a lot of buildings, houses and things that were inundated with water,” said Wheeley. “But it wasn’t the fast-moving, really destructive currents that we deal with here. So they were well prepared for it.”

Now that the team has returned, Wheeley said they now have more people equipped to help with local emergencies.

“Not just the dealing with the flooding situation,” Wheeley said. “But integrating into the emergency management of it, dealing with the command and control. And just the experience and how that works just makes them better prepared to serve back here.”

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