Kentucky gets new state search and rescue team

Kentucky will soon no longer be the only state in the South without a state-organized search and rescue team.

As a Rotunda full of first responders looked on, Kentucky House Bill 157 was signed into law by Gov. Beshear to remedy the situation that was sorely apparent during recent statewide disasters.

Search and rescue teams from across the country helped evacuate people trapped following the deadly western Kentucky tornadoes and the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky.

“So I asked about our urban search and rescue team, and one of the firefighters responded, ‘We don’t have one ma’am,’” said Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman.

Firefighters across the state also responded to those massive natural disasters, but it frequently took half a day or longer for the crews to get organized. The new law has a goal of cutting that time down to an hour.

Kentucky’s next step will be to hire a director for the new team.



(Photo: Gov. Beshear Twitter page)