Tennessee Utilizes EMAC to Send Rescue Teams in Response to New Mexico Wildfires, Floods

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has deployed two Type IIIswiftwater rescue teams to New Mexico amid flash floods following devastating wildfires that have burnedmore than 25,000 acres in the state resulting in burn scars. These credentialed swiftwater teams willprovide search and rescue and medical support in the disaster recovery efforts.

“The Volunteer State has answered New Mexico’s call for aid as they continue to battle wildfires and flashflooding threats,” said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. “These Tennessee responders work every day tosave lives and their expertise will provide much needed relief to first responders in impacted areas of thestate.”

A team of seven swiftwater trained personnel from the Madison County Fire Department left for Sante Fe,New Mexico on Thursday, June 27. An additional six-person swiftwater rescue team, comprised ofmembers from Millington Fire Department and Collierville Fire Department, deployed 24 hours later on themorning of Friday, June 28.

TEMA is coordinating Tennessee’s deployments through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact(EMAC), the nation’s state-to-state mutual aid system. For additional information on EMAC and how sateshelp each other in times of disaster, visit emacweb.org.

About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness,response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficientmanner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.

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