‘Very physically and mentally demanding situation’: Swiftwater Rescue Team deploys to Florida

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In advance of the storm’s arrival, a team of Tennessee first responders has gone to Florida to help.

The Swiftwater Rescue Team is part of Tennessee Task Force 2 with personnel from several departments. Each member of the team plays a vital role.

“It’s a very physically and mentally demanding situation,” Jill Burgin with the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) told News 2.

Burgin is staying behind, but said that she would be keeping an eye on the first responders who are headed into the storm.

“These are folks that love to help out like this,” Burgin added. “It’s just part of who they are and they’re always ready to go.”

As of publication, hurricane Helene is headed towards Florida.

“The crew will get down to the panhandle area and then, based on the need there, they’ll be deployed to wherever they need to be,” Burgin explained. “But the water element is really the one I think they’re focused on with this group.”

Williamson County EMA has sent Butch Coulter as the task force’s communication leader. Coulter will play a crucial part of this potentially life-saving team, carrying a portable radio tower and portable radios for teams to use if communications go down.

“He might have equipment that responders on the ground can use,” Burgin said. “Satellite phones and things like that.”

Burgin said that this task force practices and trains together for situations like this.

“I’m sure the folks down there will be glad to see them roll up,” Burgin said.

Some first responders arrived from Florida after responding to Hurricane Debby. That deployment lasted for two weeks.

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