Crime & Safety
Oconee Fire and Rescue Assist Rabun
Over the last couple of days, volunteer crews traveled to one of the hardest hit counties in the state to help with search and rescue efforts.
Rabun County was in the path of that ripped through Georgia earlier this week. An 83-year old resident was killed, and officials said 30 homes were demolished, 50 were damaged, and 100 roads were closed, WSPA reported. Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency in Rabun and 15 other counties.
A crew of 6 volunteers traveled to Rabun County with a mass casualty truck on Thursday to help in the search and rescue efforts, answering a request from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for counties to provide assistance, said Mark Melvin, deputy fire chief in Oconee County.
Rabun County officials asked for additional volunteers to help on Friday and Oconee sent a crew of 4, Melvin said.
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"Both crews worked approximately 10 hours searching damaged homes," he reported. "All crews returned home safely."
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