LOVELAND, Ohio — A Loveland-Symmes Fire Department swift water rescue team deployed to Perry County on Tuesday to help pull flood victims from rising water, and the city says the crew’s work saved several lives.
The department’s Task Force One team was sent to the southeastern Ohio county to assist with rescues after flooding trapped victims there, the city of Loveland said in a Facebook post. “Through their efforts several lives were saved,” the city said, thanking the team for its work and asking residents to keep Perry County and the wider Tri-State region in their thoughts.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency for Perry and Muskingum counties Tuesday as heavy rain sent floodwater into homes, businesses and roads, activating the Ohio National Guard to help with the response, according to the state.
Task Force One is Loveland-Symmes Fire Department’s special operations team, providing regional underwater search, rescue and recovery along with tactical emergency medical support across southwestern Ohio, according to the department. The team includes a dedicated dive division and is called on to assist other jurisdictions when local water rescue resources are overwhelmed.
Loveland-Symmes Fire Department provides full-time fire and emergency medical protection to about 28,000 residents of the city of Loveland and Symmes Township from four firehouses, according to the department. The department holds a Class 1 Public Protection Classification from the Insurance Services Office, a rating held by only a few hundred fire departments nationwide.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the City of Loveland.