Group of local First Responders return after deployment to east Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn.–Multiple first responders arrived back home Wednesday evening after a two and a half week deployment assisting an east Tennessee community.

26 first responders from the Jackson-Madison County area have been stationed in Unicoi County since September 29.
While there, they set up a mobile hospital, assisted with search and recovery efforts and provided support to local emergency operation centers.
Wednesday, 8 returned home safe.

“We went up there for the medical response for the Unicoi County hospital that was totally flooded to bridge a gap between the medical community so that we could serve them while we were there,” said Lynn Mooney, Emergency Response Director with the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department.

“After we got the mobile hospital set up the second day up there, we transitioned into search and recovery mode for out firefighters,” said Chief Eric Turner of the Madison County Fire Department.

Both men say there are no immediate plans for them to return to east Tennessee to aid in recovery efforts.