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After April floods, county gets two inflatable rescue boats |
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
Saline County emergency personnel are now better equipped in the event of future flooding.
The county was able to obtain two inflatable rescue boats with capital improvement funds from the state Legislature.
“The funds were set aside for fire and disaster emergency management,” state Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, said.
Broadway said County Judge Lanny Fite inquired about funding for boats following the April storms that produced three tornadoes and severe flooding.
In addition to the tornado-ravaged areas, many neighborhoods were devastated by high waters during the April 3 storms.
Flat-bottom boats are available to the fire departments, the officials noted. “But the problem is being able to launch the boats in flooded neighborhoods and rescue people as quickly as possible,” Broadway said.
The boats are equipped with life jackets, paddles and other accessories. The boats and equipment are valued at $10,000.
The boats are stored at the Office of Emergency Management in Downtown Benton. If and when there is a county disaster, officials will be at OEM and distribute the boats as needed.
Bruce Armstrong, Benton fire marshal, said the boats will provide a “quicker deployment.”
“The boats are lightweight,” Armstrong said. “They do not require a trailer and they’re easily deployed.
“They are more stable in swift water situations and hold more people, which will make our rescues more efficient.”
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