Madison County’s water rescue team prepares for deployment to New Mexico

JACKSON, Tenn. — As flash floods prompt evacuation in New Mexico, the Madison County Fire Department deploys a team to provide support.

The Madison County Swift Water Rescue Team is readying to deploy to New Mexico to help with flooding, but as Chief Eric Turner has already told us, they feel prepared for the journey.

“We got notified yesterday afternoon that there was a flooding situation taking place in New Mexico, which we weren’t aware of because we don’t watch their weather up there, but it’s evidently really, really bad and they’ve reached out to Tennessee asking for help,” said Chief Turner.

The flooding even prompted the city of Las Vegas to cancel their Fourth of July events, and residents were requested to conserve water.

“They asked for swift water rescue teams. So, here in Madison County, we have a certified swift water rescue team through the state of Tennessee. So TEMA reached out to us and ask us could we get some people together to deploy to go to New Mexico to assist in the search and rescue,” said Chief Turner.

This flood has not only destroyed homes but is also affecting water supply. Seven members of the Madison County Swift Water Rescue Team will be sent out and are expected to stay for two or more weeks.

“Our paperwork says 11 days. 2 days travel, 9 days on site but that obviously could change. Our paperwork says we’re scheduled for 14 days and sometime they can extend that and some days they can shorten it depending on the situation,” said Chief Turner.

The team has 14 plus hours ahead of them as they depart for their travels. As of now, they are the only fire department in Tennessee to deploy a team to help with the emergency flooding rescue in New Mexico.

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