Thursday afternoon, Guymon Fire Department’s specialized Swiftwater Search & Rescue team deployed to the heavily flooded areas of south Texas to assist in water rescue and recovery efforts.  

“The call came from Oklahoma Homeland Security Office and the Office of Oklahoma Emergency Management requesting Guymon’s Swiftwater boat team to assist other Oklahoma Teams in this massive rescue operation currently on-going west of San Antonio”, said Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley.  The team, which departed Guymon at 1:15pm Thursday afternoon, has individuals specializing in water rescue, boat operations, rope rescue, hazardous materials operations, and are all Paramedics as well.   The original request for Swiftwater assistance came from Texas Officials who contacted their partners in Oklahoma Emergency Management Office.  

Guymon Fire Department is unique to have such a specialized team and equipment.  In the past they have been deployed to Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Eastern/Central Oklahoma, and most recently right here at home during the flash flooding in Texas County on June 20th, 2024.  “It is not known the duration of this deployment at this moment, but we hope to help and assist the people of south Texas with our services”, said Chief Wadley.