Local emergency responders are heading to Houston to assist with ongoing rescue missions in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
A swift water team comprised of personnel from Bradley County Fire Rescue, East Ridge Fire Rescue and Dallas Bay Fire Rescue deployed to Texas on Wednesday, according to Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
The Disaster Medical Assistance Team based in Chattanooga has also has deployed to the area, said Bruce Garner, public information director for the Chattanooga Fire Department.
The swift water team is part of a Tennessee Fire Chiefs Statewide Mutual Aid System and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency deployment to Texas. Trained personnel and equipment from more than 20 agencies, including the ones from this area, have been combined to create seven swift water rescue teams. The teams have formed two swift water task forces that have deployed to College Station, Texas, to a staging area.
The teams are on an eight-day deployment and have to be self-sufficient for the first three days by taking food, water and extra supplies, according to the news release.
"The team members are highly trained to perform both swift water and still flood water rescues of humans and animals and to provide basic life support medical care to victims," the release states.
All team members reported to TEMA headquarters in Nashville on Wednesday, where they were briefed and given immunizations because of the extremely hazardous water and conditions in which they are going to be operating. They then departed for Texas.