Morganton, NC – Flood response teams from Texas, Maryland, and Georgia joined their counterparts in North Carolina for three days of Helo-aquatic rescue training August 27-29.  The "Bridge Water" site on Lake James and the Upper Catawba River were two of three locations where rescue personnel from four states participated in a successful operational readiness drill.  Teams of swift water rescuers refreshed their boat skills and mastered the short-haul rescue, in which stranded victims are plucked from a flood area by helicopter and carried to a dry, safe location nearby. This dramatic water rescue scenario was successfully completed from 80-foot trees on the grounds of the Western Piedmont Community College Campus, to the open waters of Lake James and also under fast moving water conditions of the Upper Catawba River. Casey Ping, a team leader who along with a twenty person team traveled from Texas, agrees that combined training such as this can only help make a difference. "We get to share ideas and lessons learned" said Ping. "These few days spent in Western North Carolina allowed us to look at any problems we could have and how to make a rescue better when that call for help is received."

A UH 60 Blackhawk works with rescuers above Lake James in Western North Carolina

Two (2) helicopters from the North Carolina Army National Guard's 131^st Assault Battalion, based in Salisbury, participated in this joint exercise, which brought over forty Local, State, and Federal emergency personnel to Western North Carolina.

Rescuers Train on the Upper Catawba River in Western North Carolina

 

 

 

The North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, North Carolina Army National Guard, Burke County Emergency Services, and Western Piedmont Community College are to be commended for their continued support in partnering for this valuable training.

 

A member of the Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team works to bring the victim in a stretcher up to the UH 60 Blackhawk while over Lake James.

 

For Futher Information Contact Capt Rob Brisley # 704.336.2094