News

Posted by: Putnam County Rescue Squad
March 25,2024 10:22

Putnam County Rescue New Hire Orientation Weekend

The Putnam County Rescue Squad recently had 7 new members complete the New Hire Orientation weekend. The new hire orientation process is 2 weekends and involves classroom and field training in the following, Extrication, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), Vanessa K Free (VKF), & Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP). These mew members are now certified in the basics to help their community. Also some of the new members are already trained in the medical field and will a great assets to our Medical First Responder Program.  

Posted by: Putnam County Rescue Squad
March 04,2024 14:00

March 4, 2024 The Putnam County Rescue Squad recently responded to the area of Dripping Springs Rd.

The Putnam County Rescue Squad recently responded to the area of Dripping Springs Rd. for a missing persons search. This is a densely wooded area with rugged terrain. The initial 911 caller reported multiple people /lost in the woods, before the call dropped out and dispatchers were unable to reconnect with the caller. Members of the Rescue Squad, including members of the newly-formed Drone Unit responded to the area where the 911 caller’s phone phased during the initial call. An aerial unmanned drone was deployed and quickly located a person in the woods utilizing the FLIR camera. A total of 3 subjects were located uninjured, after being in the woods for an extended period of time.

The Rescue Squad’s new Drone Unit was funded by the Putnam County Commission in the Emergency Management Agency budget. The Rescue Squad functions as a sub-agency of EMA. The team is currently comprised of 2 FAA-licensed unmanned aircraft pilots, with multiple other members in the licensing process. The team currently has two drones with FLIR capabilities, along with a search light and loudspeaker. The drones also have the capability to drop a small payload, such as medical supplies, radios, life jackets, etc. to a located person(s) while rescue teams make access and set up rescue systems.

EMA Director Brandon Smith noted the importance of the technology, “We are extremely grateful to the Putnam County Commission for their support of this project. The investment they made in this technology allowed us to locate the missing persons within about five minutes of arriving in the area, and provided the ability to direct rescue teams safely to their location,” Smith stated. “We now have tools that allow us to perform rescues in a fraction of the time we used to, and with safety overwatch of our rescue teams at all times,” he concluded.

The included photos show the sense enhancing capabilities of a FLIR camera when there are no other light sources. The dark photo shows the use of a standard camera, with only flashlights on the ground. The black and white photo shows how FLIR technology uses detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a heat source (thermal radiation), to create an image assembled for video output.

Posted by: Jason Bohannon
August 04,2023 21:34

Preplan for Local State Parks

The Putnam County Rescue Squad is called to assist our local State Parks. Members spent the day in Window Cliff Natural Area, working with staff from Burgess Falls Park preparing for calls for assistance. Members assisted our emergency planners and dispatchers by helping to improve our GIS maps of the natural area. Points of interests, along with mile markers and creek crossings were digitally mapped. This will aid in decreasing the time to reach a person in need at various a… See more

Posted by: Jason Bohannon
August 04,2023 21:26

Water Rescue for Missing Person

This response shows that the uniform does not matter. Today was a great example of everyone working together to accomplish the same goal. Job well done by all of our first responders. See the Press Release from Algood Police Department.

PRESS RELEASE
ALGOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
July 3, 2023
Missing Person Recovery
This morning Algood Police Department responded to a group home that reported a missing person. The person of interest had intellectual difficulties. Due to the semi-rural area of the search, APD requested assistance from the Putman County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and Drone Units.
PCSO quickly deployed and a K-9 track was established. The drone was able to locate the missing person in the swamp adjacent to HWY 111. She was too far out to reach safely; therefore, the Putnam County Rescue Squad was notified, and they responded with their water rescue team.
The water rescue team was able to safely reach her and extract her from the swamp.
PCEMS on scene was able to provide warming blankets and triage and transported her to Cookeville Regional Hospital for examination.
APD would like to thank our “partners” for working together to bring about a successful rescue. Without their quick response, with the needed resources, this situation could have gone from rescue to a recovery operation.

Posted by: Jason Bohannon
August 04,2023 21:14

Structural Collapse Class

Putnam County Rescue Squad members recently attended a structural collapse class. Members worked on structural collapse techniques and shoring unsafe structures. This allows us to build the team up with knowledge to provide the community and county the best service possible.

Posted by: Putnam County Rescue Squad
August 10,2022 17:00

Window Cliffs Rescue

Putnam County Rescue Squad responded to Window Cliffs Natural Area this afternoon for a hiker stranded after rapidly rising flood waters. Members of the Tactical Rope Rescue and the Swiftwater Rescue teams were assisted by members of the Putnam County Fire Department. The various teams worked together to successfully retrieve the stranded hiker. The hiker was tired and wet, but was otherwise uninjured. Job well done.


Posted by: Putnam County Rescue Squad
April 03,2022 18:26

Extrication Recert Training

Some of your Putnam County Rescue Squad members completed annual extrication training to be prepared when needed. This prepares the members when responding to vehicle crashes and someone is pinned inside.


Posted by: Johnathan Price
April 05,2021 20:26

The Outdoor Experience

We are thankful for The Outdoor Experience and their recent donation to the Rescue Squad’s High Angle Rope Rescue Team. This donation, totaling over $2,000, will help our team affect the rescue of many who will need our services over the lifetime of the rope and storage bag.

Pictured are Rope Rescue Team Captain Eddy Haynes and Sawyer Campbell, of The Outdoor Experience.

Sawyer and store owner, Heather Call, held a special giveback day following the March 3, 2020 tornado. After overhearing a conversation about equipment being used and some damaged during the response, Heather and her team hosted a giveback event, donating the store’s proceeds for the entire event day to the Rescue Squad. It is partners like The Outdoor Experience, Heather, and Sawyer that help the Rescue Squad have the equipment needed to help those in need. Thank you to all those who made a special trip to shop and purchase that day in support of our mission. You can learn more about The Outdoor Experience on their Facebook page, Twitter @theoutdoorexp, and their website: www.outdoorexperienceonline.com

Posted by: David Troglin
October 06,2020 09:02

Difficult Rescue

On Sunday, October 4th, 2020 several members of the Putnam County Rescue Squad responded to the western portion of the county to rescue an injured dog. On arrival members found the injured Collie several hundred feet down into a very steep ravine.  The rescue required over 1500 feet of rope to rig the haul system. The dog was placed into a portable dog kennel and hauled out of the ravine.  The dog was returned home safely and was eating, drinking and walking around when crew members left.

Posted by: Mike Herrick
September 17,2020 09:19

Multi-Agency Search Effort

A multi-agency search effort culminated with locating a missing ATV rider after a two day search yesterday afternoon. Putnam County Rescue Squad, Putnam County Sheriff Office, THP, and others searched the area between Englands Cove, Glade Creek, and Ravenscroft. Putnam County Rescue Squad would especially like to offer our appreciation for the assistance from area residence that were able to assist efforts by guiding search teams through the rugged terrain.

Posted by: David Troglin
July 10,2020 12:44

Thank You

The Putnam County Rescue Squad would like to thank Country Financial for the purchase of new medical gear bags and automatic blood pressure cuffs for our First Responder program. This gear will be used to replace some older gear and to allow our personnel to be prepared when responding to medical calls and to provide better care for patients experiencing medical problems. Companies such as Country Financial who decide to give back to their communities and help with purchasing equipment for the squad allows us to buy, replace old and worn equipment, and to maintain our equipment to the highest of standards. We appreciate Country Financial's support and look forward spending some time with the in the near future.  

Posted by: David Troglin
July 03,2020 12:45

Welcome

Welcome to Putnam County Rescue Squad's new website. Please click around and get to know us.