Local, regional agencies participate in swift water rescue training at Jonesborough KOA campground

VIDEO: Local and regional agencies participated in a Swift Water and Rope Rescue Instructor course at the Jonesborough KOA campground on Tuesday. The instructor course will teach attendees swift water and rope rescue so they can return to their department to train others. “Flooding is one of the most costly disasters in the nation,” Washington County, Tennessee/Johnson City EMS Chief Dan Wheeley said. “Texas is going through a horrible time right now with flooding. We’re prone to flash flooding in Tennessee as well. And so this class [is] important. These instructors will go back to their departments and be able to bring this training to their departments, develop their swift water programs and train firefighters, paramedics, police officers and staff to be able to go out and rescue people when we have flooding.”
WJHL-TV CBS/ABC 11 Johnson City

Fire intentionally set inside Winchester Walmart, Memphis Fire Department says

According to the Memphis Fire Department (MFD), a fire was intentionally set inside the Walmart Supercenter on Winchester in southeast Memphis Tuesday. MFD said around 9 p.m. that they responded to a fire inside the Walmart on 7535 Winchester Rd. The fire was mostly extinguished before MFD arrived, and firefighters did not need additional crews, MFD said. Memphis Fire said no injuries were reported. The fire was intentionally set in the women's clothing area, damaging one clothing rack, according to officials. The sprinkler system did not activate. Firefighters said they are still trying to estimate the value of the damages. Investigators are looking into this case, MFD said.
WATN-TV ABC 24 Memphis

Four Franklin firefighters heading to Texas to help with floods

Four Franklin Firefighters will be headed to Texas to help with flooding. On Sunday, May 5, the Franklin Fire Department (FFD) said the firefighters would be deployed to Bryan, TX as part of the TN Task Force 2 swiftwater search and rescue team. The FFD said the Texas officials requested help because the floods have left many people trapped with more rain expected. In addition to the FFD, personnel from the Nashville Fire Department, the Nashville Emergency Operations Control and the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency will also be deployed to Texas.
WSMV-TV NBC 4 Nashville

Hoarding hinders firefighters at house fire in Knoxville

PHOTO: This morning at 11:35 AM, Knox County 911 received an advising that their neighbor's home was on fire. The neighbor reported the fire to be at 2004 Cedar Lane. On arrival at KFD, crews found smoke coming from the front of the home. As crews attempted to enter the house, they were met with a very heavy amount of stockpiled items throughout the entire structure. This made attacking the fire extremely difficult and dangerous for the firefighters on the scene. KFD crews made the decision to cut two large openings in the front and side of the home to better access the fire. Once crews could access the bulk of the fire, they were able to extinguish it. Due to the heavy content in the home, crews were required to conduct an extensive overhaul and needed to cut an additional hole in the roof to access the attic space.
Knoxville Daily Sun

Signal Mountain retirement home in Hamilton County fire likely caused by lightning

PHOTOS: Hamilton County authorities said the fire at a Signal Mountain retirement home on Monday was likely caused by a lightning strike. Someone called 911 Monday morning after strong thunderstorms passed through to report a possible lightning strike. Signal Mountain firefighters then arrived at the Alexian Village just after 9 a.m. They found heavy smoke coming from the dining hall and main kitchen building. Fire officials evacuated 450 residents of the retirement home in case the fire spread. They then had the fire under control by around 10:45 a.m. Power was restored to the Alexian Village around 11:30 a.m. HCOEM said there were no injuries. However, the building damages are unknown at this time.
WDEF-TV CBS 12 Chattanooga