Virginia Beach Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team Returning Today from Texas Deployment

Eight members of the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team will return home this afternoon to Virginia Beach, July 23, tentatively at 1600 hours (4 p.m.), following an 18-day deployment to Texas, where they assisted in search and recovery efforts after the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas. 

Working in coordination with FEMA’s Missouri Task Force 1 (MOTF-1), the team conducted extensive operations, including water and shoreline searches, across severely impacted areas in an effort to locate those unaccounted for.

 The VBFD team is expected to arrive at the Harry E. Diezel Fire Training Center, 927 S. Birdneck Road, today at approximately 4 p.m., where they will be reunited with their families, colleagues, and community members.

 "We are incredibly proud of our team’s courage and commitment during this difficult mission," said Fire Chief Ken Pravetz. "Their tireless efforts in the face of tragedy reflect the very best of our department and our profession."

 The media and community members are welcome to join in welcoming the team home.