Four local volunteer fire departments are now better prepared in the event of an emergency involving a body of water in Etowah County. RescueONE™ Connector Boats along with the Gadsden/Etowah County EMA is pleased to announce the boats will soon be water ready. Sheriff Todd Entrekin stated, “I would like to especially thank Tony at Buck’s Island Marina for being an outstanding community partner and making these rescue boats available for public safety in Etowah County.”

This resource project was cost shared by Commissioner Johnny Grant, Commissioner Carolyn Holt Parker, Sheriff Todd Entrekin and GECEMA. The departments that received boats today were Ball Play Bend VFD, Coates Bend VFD, Hokes Bluff VFD, and Tidmore Bend VFD. In addition to funding afforded by the sponsoring agencies, three of the four volunteer fire departments cost shared a portion of the boat purchase as well. Commissioner Johnny Grant stated, “With all of us working together, we were able to purchase these boats to aid in the safety of our citizens and visitors, on our Etowah County waterways.”

With the purchase of these boats, a valuable resource can be rapidly deployed. The availability of the resource was a point Commissioner Carolyn Parker made when she stated, “While none of these departments are in my district, I felt it was important to assist in this cost-share project. My district recently lost a citizen and a boat of this type was used so, I know how these rescue boats will make a difference when seconds matter.”

Training will be provided through RescueONE™ Connector Boats and in addition from the ECSO Marine Unit. These boats add to the current fleet owned by the City of Gadsden Fire and Rescue, Southside Fire and Rainbow City Fire. The boats will also be available to deploy to other areas throughout the county when water search & rescue or recovery is needed. “The vision for this provided resource began several years ago,” said GECEMA Director Deborah Gaither, “and due to an excellent opportunity involving teamwork and partnerships from many, it has