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June 2, 2015
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THE FLOODS OF 2015
17 Swift Water Rescues by Wilco Sheriffs GREEN ACADEMY CLASS #1 Page 3
During the recent floods all over central and
eastern Texas, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Swift Water Rescue Team was called out and involved in 17 namesake rescues on Memorial Day. Swift water rescue (also called “white water rescue”) is a subset of technical rescue dealing in white water conditions. Due to the added pressure of moving water, swift water rescue involves the use of specially trained personnel, ropes and mechanical advantage systems that are often much more robust than those used in standard rope rescue. The main goal is to use or deflect the water’s power to assist in the rescue of the endangered person(s), as in most situations there is no easy way to overcome the power of the water. The Williamson County Team, which is an all-volunteer unit, consists of two sergeants, four detectives, five deputies, all commanded by Lt. James David. Each member is certified as Advanced Swift Water Technician and Advanced Boat Operator and the Team is equipped with two 12-foot inflatable boats, one 16-foot Rescue Boat and numerous pieces of safety equipment to rescue victims from raging creeks and rivers. Among the rescues performed by this specialized unit were a married couple swept out of
their vehicle on North Drive in Taylor. The man was located first, and the Team began searching for the woman, who is a double amputee. She was found downstream, hypothermic, and holding onto a tree limb with only her head above water. The Team maneuvered their boat into position and rescued the woman, taking her to the bank where Williamson County EMS was waiting. The Team rescued four adults, one child and four family dogs from the roof top of a house on Mustang Drive, in Taylor. The Team also assisted Georgetown Fire Department in rescuing nine persons trapped between two creeks at FM 973 and Rice’s Crossing. Although the Swift Water Rescue Team has been in existence for many years, it wasn’t until Sheriff James Wilson came into office, expanded the Team, and purchased all the latest equipment that enabled the Team to function as an elite rescue unit. The cost is an astonishing amount of money, however Sheriff Wilson spends forfeited drug funds to completely equip the Team and not a dollar of taxpayer money.
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