By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Search and rescue and recovery efforts require not only dedicated first responders, but also a wide variety of specialized tools. Each situation, whether it be a structure fire or a vehicle accident, can be mitigated with the proper tools designed with that situation in mind. The proper tools equal both an effective and speedy response, and as a result can make the difference between life and death.
This is seldom more applicable than when first responders encounter a water emergency. Responders train constantly for these specialized situations (and others) in hopes that they might shave off precious minutes in an emergency while both keeping themselves safe and working to ensure the safety of the communities they serve. Recently on the water rescue front, the FIVCO area has gained another tool to help them do their job more efficiently.
Grayson Mayor Troy Combs laid out the particulars in a recent Facebook post about FIVCO’s acquisition of a new underwater drone and the interlocal agreement that makes it available to all counties within the district. The Emergency Management Agencies in Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, and Lawrence Counties are all part of that agreement.
The underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) was acquired by FIVCO through a grant to enhance regional emergency response capabilities. The interlocal agreement will make the vehicle available to all counties included in the agreement, though it will remain the property of FIVCO. Per the interlocal agreement, that agency can, if it so chooses, appoint a “custodial county” where it can be housed and maintained.
“Today I attended our monthly FIVCO Board meeting, and am excited to announce that we have obtained an underwater drone, the ‘Deep Trekker,’ for regional emergency search and response use,” Combs wrote.
“The board has determined to house the unit at either the Grayson Fire Department or the Ashland Fire Department,” Combs continued. “Regardless, it will serve the entire five county area in local underwater search efforts. Proud to have this tool at the ready for our emergency response teams.”
As with most unmanned or “drone” vehicles, the “Deep Trekker” can access areas that larger equipment and human responders are unable to access. The new drone’s initial design and purpose was to inspect ship hulls as well as many other deep sea applications, but the ROV can prove to be a crucial tool for local emergency responders in an area with many streams, large ponds, rivers, and even the Grayson Lake area.
Combs said he was pleased with FIVCO’s proactive stance on keeping the area development district safe and supporting local first responders.
“I think it will be a wonderful, highly useful addition to the tools already used by our network of first responders,” Combs said. “It (the ROV) can save crucial time, and that might ultimately save lives. And that is the top priority of every first responder not only in our own area, but in every area.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
