Services offered by Rhea Rescue

The Rhea County Rescue squad offers a number of services to the Rhea county community.

Vehicle Extrication

Vehicle extrication is the process of removing a person from a vehicle that has been involved in a motor vehicle accident when conventional means of exit are impossible or unadvisable. It is better known as "removing the vehicle from around the person" in reference to the often delicate touch needed to avoid disturbing the victim as much as possible during the extrication. We utilize a wide variety of equipment to spread, cut, push, pull, lift or otherwise dismantle a vehicle or piece of machinery during the process of extrication. Training for Vehicle and Farm Rescue is provided through the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads Inc.

Rope Rescue Team

Rope Rescue is a form of technical rescue that involves the use of low stretch kern-mantle ropes, anchoring and belaying devices, friction rappel devices, various devices to utilize mechanical advantage for hauling systems, and other specialized equipment to reach victims and safely recover them. Our personnel who desire to be involved in our Rope Rescue Team must complete various training programs taught by Progressive Rescue Solutions Inc.

Swift Water Rescue Team

Swift Water Rescue is a form of technical rescue that involves many of the practices of rope rescue, as well as a great understanding and appreciation for the force and characteristics of moving water. A combination of knowledge, experience and specialized equipment enable personnel to reach and safely recover victims of flood situations as well as recreational (canoe, kayak, or rafting) accidents. Team personnel receive training through the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads Inc. as well as other in-house swift water experts.

Fire Fighting

Through our relationship with the Rhea County Volunteer Fire Department, our personnel may participate in structural & wild land fire fighting efforts. We house and operate apparatus belonging to the Fire Dept. as a form of back up to the various community fire districts throughout the county.

Ground Search & Rescue

The act of Ground Search & Rescue can be as a result of various situations requiring a variety of response types. One of the more urgent types of response would be to locate and evacuate an injured person such as a hunter, hiker or other outdoor enthusiast. This type of response will often require the use of specialized equipment and training of our Rope Rescue Team. Another form of ground search operation would be to locate children or elderly adults who have wandered away from their home or relatives. The most common type of search operation in this area is for hikers who are overdue or have ventured from the marked public trails ( Piney Falls Area, Piney River Trail, Stinging Fork, Pocket Wilderness ) and gotten lost.

Drowning Recovery

Although the recovery of drowning victims is not the most technological or exciting service we provide it is the primary service for which our organization was founded in 1964. We employ the basic, yet proven , method of dragging the lake bottom in an effort to snag a victim and pull them to the surface. Often we do call upon mutual aid agencies to deploy other types of services such as divers, underwater cameras, sonar, and specially trained Dogs.

Other

Often we are called upon to aid with other various situations such as responding to assist lost or stranded boaters, assist with transportation of medical or emergency personnel during winter storms, assisting EMS units with special needs patients, and any other type situation which may develop but has no dedicated unit to respond.