
FIirst responders engage in water rescue training
Joint water rescue training by the Lebanon Fire Department, Mt. Juliet Fire Department and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency occurred this week across two days.
Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, saw the training between the Jimmy Floyd Center and Stones River near the Percy Priest Dam for hands-on, in-the-water practice.
According to the agencies, training focused on victim rescue, rope and non-rope throw bag techniques, boat flipping and water entry.
'These skills aren't just good to know, they're required,' WEMA said. '[Tennessee Emergency Management Agency] mandates that these competencies be demonstrated annually for members to stay eligible for EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) deployments.'
With the training, the agencies say they're ready in case of a water-related emergency response.
'Training together like this ensures our departments can work together in any emergency situation,' WEMA said.
Rehab 23 also attended the training to provide hydration and food for the first responders as they trained.
With the amount of rain Middle Tennessee has seen this year, including localized flooding, this training is even more necessary, according to WEMA.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
FIirst responders engage in water rescue training
Joint water rescue training by the Lebanon Fire Department, Mt. Juliet Fire Department and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency occurred this week across two days. Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, saw the training between the Jimmy Floyd Center and Stones River near the Percy Priest Dam for hands-on, in-the-water practice. According to the agencies, training focused on victim rescue, rope and non-rope throw bag techniques, boat flipping and water entry. 'These skills aren't just good to know, they're required,' WEMA said. '[Tennessee Emergency Management Agency] mandates that these competencies be demonstrated annually for members to stay eligible for EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) deployments.' With the training, the agencies say they're ready in case of a water-related emergency response. 'Training together like this ensures our departments can work together in any emergency situation,' WEMA said. Rehab 23 also attended the training to provide hydration and food for the first responders as they trained. With the amount of rain Middle Tennessee has seen this year, including localized flooding, this training is even more necessary, according to WEMA.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wilson County EMA, fire departments hold swift water rescue training
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — We've seen our fair share of rain this spring, which is why Wilson County rescue teams are making sure they're prepared for swift water emergencies. On Wednesday, multiple agencies held a joint training, and News 2 was there. 'We've got Wilson County EMA, Lebanon Fire Department, Mt. Juliet Fire Department all here,' Maegan Eldridge, PIO and administrative for Wilson County EMA, said. Wednesday morning, multiple crews in Wilson County were training for real-world water rescue scenarios. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → 'They are doing anything from boat flipping, to rescuing victims to self-rescue to rescuing with and without a rope bag and its multi-agency because when it comes to an emergency we want to work with all of our agencies to work quickly and effectively to be able to respond as quick as possible,' Eldridge said. During the springtime, Wilson County EMA said they see more swift water rescue calls. 'A lot of times we get flash floods where cars drive into flooded waterways,' Colton Young, Lieutenant with Wilson County EMA said. Lieutenant Young said a newer tool, WEMA, has been used for people who may be stuck in water on the roadways. 'We can quickly inflate these and deploy in ten minutes to rescue someone.' However, during the summer, the concern can be on Middle Tennessee's lakes and rivers. 'Wilson County has about 58 square miles of lake,' Young said. ⏩ So far this year, six deaths have been reported on Tennessee waterways. This Memorial Day weekend, Wilson County EMA said, thankfully, there were no reports of water rescues. However, this is the message they continue to send out. 'A life jacket is going to save your life, and if you don't have it on, there is nothing that's going to happen. Life jackets are extremely important. Anyone going out on the water, please use a jacket,' Eldridge said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
'You are the heroes.' Dispatchers celebrated by county officials
This past week was National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and varying agencies across Wilson County recognized the people who play an important part in the first responder process — dispatchers. Dispatchers are often the first point of contact in an emergency, guiding callers through some of the most stressful and intense moments of their lives. During this, they're able to multitask by relaying vital information to responders. The Wilson County Sheriff's Office, Lebanon Police Department, Lebanon Fire Department and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency took to social media to remind the public that the person behind the headset, the unseen coordinator, is just as vital as any police officer or firefighter. 'Our dispatchers are the invisible lifeline connecting the community to emergency responders,' Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said. 'Their voices guide people through moments of crisis with calm professionalism and compassion, and we are incredibly grateful for the vital role they play in keeping Wilson County safe.' The television drama show "911" is one instance of popular media portraying the job dispatchers do every day, often filled with emotion. The profession can take an emotional toll on each dispatcher, who has to make high-pressure decisions while spending long hours away from their home and family. 'It takes a special kind of person to remain calm in chaos and to be the voice of reassurance for someone in their darkest hour,' Captain Scott Moore, WCSO Public Information Officer, said. 'Our team in the Communications Division is second to none, and we're proud to recognize their commitment during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.' WEMA, in several posts on Facebook, highlighted the individual dispatchers and expressed gratitude for the work they do. LPD informed people that the job doesn't stop during weekends and holidays, as emergencies can happen at any time. 'Behind every siren, every emergency response and every life saved is a calm, steady voice,' MJPD said. 'They are the steady support that helps our officers and first responders stay safe and succeed in protecting Mt. Juliet. Thank you for being the calm in the chaos, the lifeline for our community and the essential force behind every apprehension, every rescue and every call answered. 'You are the heroes.'