E.M.A. Special Ops Team Expands To Meet Robertson County Growth

E.M.A. Special Ops Team Expands To Meet Robertson County Growth

ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – With Robertson County’s growing population, additional atypical and difficult emergency calls have increased. Whether it be fires, chemical spills, water rescue or construction hazards, being ready has become more important than ever.

With that thought in mind, Robertson County (under the direction of the Robertson County Emergency Management Agency) has expanded its Special Operations Team or “Special Ops Team” to ten members.

Special Operations Team — it’s a term more closely associated with highly trained military personnel, but emergency situations in cities and agricultural areas can also experience difficult situations which require specialized training and equipment.

The Special Ops Team operates under the direction of Chance Holmes who is currently the Robertson County EMA Deputy Director and a seasoned Firefighter and Hazmat Specialist with over 17 years of experience. Deputy Holmes gave Smokey Barn News a rundown of the expanded team and what it can do.

“The expanded Special Ops Team currently has 10 members who range from career firefighters, paramedics, volunteer firefighters, and even a school teacher to round out our team. Each member brings a special set of skills and abilities to the team.

“From a tactical standpoint, Captain Amanda Porter leads the new RCEMA Special Ops Team. Any emergency, such as swift water events that create a lot of flooding, and in Tennessee, when we have several inches of rainfall in a short amount of time, it creates a lot of hazards. We want to be ready for all those events. Nothing is off the table. The Special Ops Team has training and equipment ready not only for swift water rescues but for trench collapses in which workers are trapped in trench cave-ins during construction. We have so much new construction that there is the potential for trenches to be located anywhere within the county.

“Also on the list for the Special Ops Team are emergencies involving structural collapses and confined spaces. We want to be prepared for those events by having a team that can respond with training and equipment.

“Our hazmat training is also being ramped up. Reasons include the possibility of encountering drug labs literally booby-trapped with toxic and explosive chemicals. Additionally, Robertson County has two major interstates and a major railway, all three carrying thousands of tons of hazardous materials every day.

“The team has already been utilized numerous times throughout the County. With the orchestration of more equipment, volunteer staff and updated vehicles, we feel the Special Ops Team can better serve the citizens of Robertson County.

“This update has been made possible with the support of the Robertson County Commissioners and grants from Homeland Security and is greatly appreciated.”

Joshua Lowe: Lieutenant with EMA, Springfield Firefighter since 2008. Also an Adams Volunteer Firefighterr and Hazmat Technician.

Dan Seeback: Full-time Firefighter for Ridgetop with 4 1/2 years experience. 20 years hazmat experience in the military.

Christopher Tyler Davis: Firefighter for Greenbrier & Gallatin Fire Departments with a total of 5 years experience and Rope Rescue Operational Level.

Peyton Smith: Volunteer Firefighter with White House Community Station 51 for 3 1/2 years and 1 year of hazmat training.

Terry Couts: 3 years Paramedic at Robertson County EMS, part-time Firefighter with the Greenbrier Fire Department for 4 years. Total exp 5 years. 8 years in the Army – last Title Sergeant.

Anna Tyler: Graduate of Ashford University in Los Angeles Ca with a Bachelors degree in Homeland Security & Emergency Management. First time working in the field. Currently working towards hazmat certifications and a degree in Geoscience.

Tiffany Russell: Volunteer firefighter for 2 years with the Ridgetop Fire Department. Firefighter HAZMAT training.

Rodney Hoover: Firefighter; 25 years with the White House Community Volunteer Fire Department. 18 years for the Springfield Fire Department. 22 years of Hazmat, several years with the EMA Special Response Team.

Captain Amanda Porter: Firefighter for 11 years with Springfield, Volunteer firefighter for 4 years with Cross Plains and 3 years with Greenbrier. Hazmat technician for the city, Low Angle Rope Rescue, Numerous TEMA classes and a Honor Gaurd for the city of Springfield. Porter is also an Advanced Medical technician.

Austin Wallace, Firefighter; 3 years Greenbrier Fire Department and an Emergency Medical Responder with Rope Operations certification. Wallace also has Hazmat Awareness Level training.

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