Special to IFN
Mooresville Fire-Rescue, Mooresville E-911 Communications, and Mooresville Police Department personnel continue to aid western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Mooresville Fire-Rescue’s (MFR) Swiftwater Rescue Team continues searching buildings and debris piles for survivors and victims, surveying and documenting damage, and distributing water and food to residents in Ashe County. To date, the team has rescued 11 people and two animals in Ashe County. The team will remain in Ashe County until it is safe for residents and their first responders.
“This work is very strenuous. These men spend most of the time walking and climbing through dangerous debris piles, searching for any survivors or victims,” MFR Chief Curt Deaton said. “They see things they won’t ever forget. For some of our team, they’ve been there for 10 days straight now, working around the clock. I am extremely proud of all 18 members and know the work they are doing is crucial to help restore Ashe County.”
North Carolina Emergency Management also deployed Mooresville E-911 Communications telecommunicators prior to the storm to ensure they were ready to assist Burke County residents as soon as Helene hit.
The Mooresville Police Department has coordinated with the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police and North Carolina Emergency Management to organize and deploy law enforcement teams to western North Carolina.
On Saturday, October 5, the first team of seven MPD officers deployed to the Asheville area to assist in securing two facilities. The first team will serve until October 11, at which time another eight-person MPD team, currently on standby, may deploy. MPD is committed to providing continuous support to Western North Carolina as long as needed without sacrificing service to Mooresville residents and visitors.
“The men and women of the MPD are and have been providing help to affected communities to our west. We had telecommunicators who were there right before the storm kicked off in what was determined to be an immediate need. They were on the phones with callers that were in need of help. Many of those calls ended abruptly. They heard things that will live with them forever,” MPD Chief and Assistant Town Manager Ron Campurciani said. “We are now poised for a response of law enforcement officers to address the needs of those communities. I am proud of these men and women every day, but what they are doing now and the situation they and every first responder is going into and dealing with daily to help our western neighbors is truly just amazing. All of us are praying for everyone affected by this tragedy, and we are resolute in our conviction to play a small part to give them the help they need to start putting their lives back together.”
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