HB 189 bill could impact state search and rescue teams

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — State lawmakers have proposed a bill to help fund the North Carolina Search and Rescue Program this week. If approved, the bill would provide more than $2.3M for the state’s seven specialized rescue teams.

House Bill 189 is sponsored by state representatives Ted Davis and Holly Grange.

“This money will help us purchase equipment which will let us go into a natural disaster area with collapsed structures, and search for people that may be trapped in those structures,” said Search and Rescue Captain Rudoph Shackelford.

The bill would also provide teams like NC Search and Rescue Team #11, made up of the Wilmington Fire Department and New Hanover County Fire Rescue, with the equipment and the training they need.

“These teams are really benefiting the rural communities as much, or more than, they are the metropolitan communities. Because those are the ones that don’t have the assets to provide this kind of service,” said Wilmington Fire Chief Buddy Martinette. “During Hurricane Matthew, we deployed 5 out of the 7 state rescue teams around. And those rescuers performed almost 2,500 rescues of personnel.”

Proponents say that HB 189 would also help prepare firefighters to face dangerous circumstances.

“The kinds of rescues that these firefighters do are not trained. They’re not trained in recruit class to do this,” Martienette said. “This is very specialized. Very complex. Very dangerous activities in which they provide this service. And the money is not easily to come by to support these kinds of activities.”

City leaders say they have been working HB 189 for three years, and are confident the funding will be approved.