By admin 
NASHVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — The Nash County Sheriff’s Office is developing a Swift Water Search and Rescue Team, officials said.
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According to officials, the sheriff’s office is developing the team in collaboration with local and state first responders. The team will provide rescue operations and security in remote or unstable environments with the intent of giving residents both lifesaving assistance and protection during emergency situations.
Members of the team will be able to operate in “dangerous, fast-changing conditions” through “rigorous, nationally recognized training” in areas including swift water rescue, rope systems, boating operations, emergency medical care, incident command, helicopter-based rescue, and hazardous materials response, according to the sheriff’s office.
The development of the swift water team comes after two people died in a flash flood in Nash County last summer, despite the rescue efforts of a Spring Hope officer.
The sheriff’s office said the team will receive $348,000 in funding from the 2026 state budget, which will be used to purchase emergency response and swift water rescue equipment to help deputies respond to flooding, severe weather, water rescues, and other emergencies in the county.
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State Sen. Lisa Barnes (R-Franklin, Nash, Vance), who secured the funding, said in a statement, “Keeping our communities safe is one of my top priorities. This funding will ensure our deputies have the equipment they need to respond quickly and effectively when lives are at risk.
“I deeply appreciate Sheriff Keith Stone and the dedicated men and women of the Nash County Sheriff`s Office for their commitment to protecting our communities”, she said in her statement. “I’m proud to help provide the resources they need to continue serving the people of Nash County, enhancing emergency response capabilities for years to come.”
Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone thanked Barnes for her support in developing the team and state and local partners for helping improve the county’s emergency response capabilities.
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