Waterloo

Waterloo, Alabama

Light Rescue

In October 2003, The Decision was made through the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Department of Homeland Security to create Mutual Aid teams to assist throughout Alabama and any other neighboring local jurisdiction or States in need of assistance. These teams were to be comprised of a Heavy, Medium, and Light Capability as well as Hazardous Materials Team, Swift Water Rescue Team, Law Enforcement Groups, and a USAR Unit. These mutual aid squads would be equipped and trained through a series of grants to various levels depending on the team type, size, and ability. Limited sustainment funds would be utilized when available, but for the most part, equipment is to be used at the designated department and used when needed for mutual aid.

The Florence- Lauderdale EMA was granted the monies to create Light Rescue Units in Waterloo and Killen Volunteer Fire Departments and a Heavy Rescue Unit in the Florence Fire Department, along with a bomb disposal unit, a SWAT team and a water rescue unit in the Florence Police Department. These units combine with a Medium Rescue Unit in the Muscle Shoals Fire Department, and a Medium Rescue Unit in the Russellville Fire Department to form TASK FORCE 12. The Light Rescue, Medium Rescue, and Heavy Rescue units are equipped for High Angle Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Building Collapse Rescue, Hazmat Response, and many more types of natural disasters, or terrorist threats. While the Law Enforcement side takes care of threat detection and intervention.

As a team progresses, the Florence-Lauderdale EMA updates Operational Readiness Reports and delivers these status changes to the state so that a detailed logistical summary is available. After recent drills and operational readiness dispatch testing, The Waterloo Light Rescue 9 team has reached a 90% readiness and has a Green status for deployment into any emergency or natural disaster that may occur in our region of operations.