Bristol, Va. Swift Water Rescue Team recognized by congressman for work during Helene
Share this @internewscast.com

The Bristol Virginia Swift Water Rescue Team was acknowledged on Tuesday by Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) for their valiant emergency response efforts during Hurricane Helene.

Representative Griffith made a visit to the Bristol, Virginia Fire Department (BVFD) to engage with team members and hear their firsthand accounts of their experiences while responding to the hurricane’s challenges.

In addition, he handed over a copy of his recent congressional extension of remarks, which honored and emphasized the significant contributions made by the Bristol Swift Water Rescue Team.

“Somewhere on one of these times that they’ve gone into rescue, those people wouldn’t have gotten out,” Griffith said. “And so there have been lives saved. How do you count those lives? Well you can’t. Because we saved them. But the odds are that of those 80 rescues that they’ve done in six months, some of the people that they went out to rescue probably, I’m just guessing, but one could guess, maybe as many as half would not have survived the swift water without this team.”

BVFD Lt. Tyler Wright told News Channel 11 that he can’t begin to list all of the people in the department who helped tremendously during the aftermath of the recent storms, Helene and otherwise, and he’s glad they’re getting recognized nationally in Congress.

“Luckily, we have a team here in the region that can come out and help you,” Wright said. “You know, our guys go through rigorous training each year, and they’re obviously very aware of the dangers of being around water. And they take certain steps to try to mitigate that danger and operate as safely as they can.”

Griffith explained why he ensured that the crew was honored for their work.

“This is about presenting what we call an extension of remarks that’s put into the Congressional Record. And just basically, it’s to recognize the great work that the Bristol Swift Water Team has done, not just here in Bristol, but all throughout the region.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

100 Years After a Man Was Convicted for Teaching Evolution, the Debate on Religion in Schools Continues

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A century ago, a public high school educator faced…

Rubio Set to Meet with China’s Foreign Minister in Malaysia Amid Rising US-China Tensions

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is wrapping…

Michelle Obama Expresses Feeling ‘Absolutely Free’

(The Hill) – Michelle Obama, the former first lady, who has recently…

DOJ: Kingsport Man Allegedly Filed for Millions in Fraudulent Tax Returns

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Kingsport resident admitted guilt on Wednesday to…

Twin sisters in Texas Generate $10,000 for Camp Mystic by Selling Lemonade

() Nine-year-old twins who attended summer camps devastated by recent flooding have…

Mixed Signals and Social Media Posts Spark Questions About Evacuation Delays in Kerr County flooding

KERR COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Social media posts piece together a timeline…

Trump to Visit Texas Flood Damage While Disaster Highlights His Plans for FEMA

WASHINGTON (AP) As President Donald Trump heads to Texas on Friday for…

MMA Fighter Ben Askren Claims He ‘Died Four Times’ and Underwent a Double Lung Transplant

Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren is revealing details about…

Georgia Teen, 17, Detained in Connection with Parents’ Murder

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. () – On the morning of February 20th, 2025,…

Asian Markets Show Mixed Performance Following Wall Street’s Record-Breaking Close

MANILA – Asian markets displayed mixed results amid cautious trading on Friday.…

Rubio Set to Meet China’s Foreign Minister in Malaysia Amid Escalating US-China Tensions

KUALA LUMPUR – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is concluding his…

Trump Administration Files Lawsuit Against California Regarding Egg Costs

The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, alleging that three…