Local first responders head to storm zone in SC

Several East Tennessee first responders have been deployed to South Carolina to join flood relief efforts caused by Tropical Storm Debby. The deployments are part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact which is a nationwide state-to-state mutual aid system managed by FEMA and operated by state Emergency Management Agencys. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says two Type II Swiftwater Rescue Teams were deployed by its department to respond to the expected record-setting rain and flooding on the South Carolina coast.
The two teams are comprised of personnel from Kingsport Fire Department, Bristol Fire Department, Johnson City Fire Department, Washington County–Johnson City EMS and the Knoxville Fire Department. According to the release the TEMA personnel will serve in a critical response support role at South Carolina’s State Emergency Operations Center in Columbia.