Thursday evening, Guymon Fire Department’s specialized Swiftwater Search & Rescue team returned home safely.  The 7-day (178 hour) South Texas mission took them to locations in San Antonio, Crystal City, Asherton, Uvalde, and Carrizo Springs area near the Mexico border.

The mission of the Swiftwater team was to assist in water related rescues and activities related to the deadly flooding in South Texas.  “Guymon was amongseveral Oklahoma teams that responded to this”, said Fire Chief Grant Wadley.   The three (3) Guymon members that deployed assisted numerous people to higher ground, assisted people maneuvering in the high waters, monitored water levels, and assisted utility companies with getting wells and pumps back in service to provide drinking water to communities.  “Rescues and being prepared for immediate rescues were our mission, but many things we did were not an emergency, instead they were acts of helping people in need”, said Swiftwater Leader Captain Lane Duer of Guymon.  

After action reports and logistics of the deployment are now on-going.  Reporting all activities, damage reports, future areas of concerns, and deployment statistics are all being prepared to give to Oklahoma and Texas Officials.  Guymon Fire Department and all the other Departments that deployed are proud to serve and stand prepared for the next calling.