As Hurricane Helene's wrath landed on Washington and Unicoi Counties a year ago, the valor of local swiftwater rescue teams has garnered international recognition. Last night, at the Riversport Swiftwater Rescue Conference in Oklahoma City, the Washington County-Johnson City EMS (WC/JC EMS) and the Tennessee District 1 Task Force were collectively honored with the Higgins & Langley Outstanding Achievement Award. This accolade pays homage to profound commitment and excellence in the unforgiving realm of swiftwater rescue, as the City of Johnson City's official website reports. This honor follows their unyielding efforts during the hurricane's onslaught in September 2024.
Comprising personnel from WC/JC EMS, fire departments from Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport, along with the Sullivan County Emergency Management Agency, these teams executed 28 rescue responses in Washington County. They managed a nearly heroic evacuation of around 60 individuals from the Unicoi County Hospital. The patients and staff, engulfed by the storm's sudden rise, found safety in the swiftwater team's expertise. The City of Johnson City reported that five additional individuals caught in the flood's grip downstream from the hospital were saved alongside the Unicoi rescue.
The award, renowned for recognizing exceptional skill and coordination under extreme conditions, reflects the rescue personnel's high degree of readiness and unshakable teamwork. "The teams have worked hard to prepare for events like these," WC/JC EMS Executive Director Dan Wheeley said, according to the City's announcement. "They made numerous rescues, saved lives, and suffered no injuries in the process. This award honors their dedication to the safety of residents across our region."
The Johnson City Fire Department members, including District Chief Pete Sanders and Lt. Ben Blevins, were among seven from the department serving on the District 1 Task Force, either engine drivers or technical specialists, showing a seamless blend of command and ground-level expertise during the crisis. Their integration into the task force was particularly challenging, diving into perilous waters, dealing with emergencies in the Embreeville and Chuckey communities, and this act of bravery would carry on for weeks even after the storm's passing, as per the City of Johnson City's news release.
The commendation at the 33rd Higgins & Langley Awards spotlighted the swiftwater teams' sterling actions and symbolized a beacon of inspiration for technical rescue units worldwide. All honored individuals, including Division Chief Lindsey Moore, Lt. Tim Mize, and others from WC/JC EMS, alongside participants from the Sullivan County EMA and Kingsport and Bristol Fire departments, now carry the weighty recognition of being vanguards in their field.
