Most residents know all too well about the damage down pours can cause, especially in our area over the last few years. Although, the devastation faced in our community is no comparison to what the people in Texas are experiencing, Carbon County can understand the sense of having absolutely no control of the wrath that Mother Nature can cause. It was during our own flooding experience that many individuals throughout Utah and even from neighboring states offered aid. They did so by volunteering their own personal time to help local homeowners with clean-up, filling sand bags and/or retrieving items were lost in the flood.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that our community knows the true meaning of compassion, it’s a trait defiantly instilled in the volunteers who who make up the Search and Rescue team. “I had several members of Search and Rescue members reach out to me last night wanting to go to Texas to help out with the flooding there, so we are in the process today in finding out what the need is and if we can help them,” stated Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood. The non-profit organization generates funds donated by members within the community at various fundraisers they host, the biggest and most profitable is the demolition derby. The proceeds help to cover expenditures towards training, maintaining and purchasing equipment and other costs the team may face.

“We sent an email off to the State Emergency Manager, the main guy over all that, with a list of what we could bring to Texas and what our certifications are and the level of training we have. They were pleased. This is awesome, we didn’t know you guys had this capability, we will now list you on a database to where if anyone has this need they will contact you,” said Wood. The team of volunteers are talented and highly experienced in swift water rescue, confined space rescue, as well as in the general field of search and rescue. It’s no doubt that our Search and Rescue team will make a difference in aiding the people in Texas.

If community members would like to assist those in Texas, they may contact the Sheriff’s Office at 636-3251 to inquire about provisions and/or items that are needed.