Ep. 95 - David Barnes, Special Operations Battalion Chief
Hurricane Florence didn't deliver the damage to Frederick County that forecasts originally predicted, but Special Operations Battalion Chief David Barnes and his crew still stood at the ready. Barnes, who oversees the county's swift water rescue operation, joined podcast host Colin McGuire and city editor Allen Etzler to explain how he got into special operations in the fire and rescue service, and how his units prepare for hurricanes or heavy rainfall. The large amount of rainfall this year has forced the county to run more swift water rescue calls in 2018 than in recent years, Barnes said. The county is projected to run well over 100 swift water rescue calls by the end of the year — up from the 70-80 that would occur in a typical year, according to Barnes. Barnes explained the challenges in completing swift water rescue operations during flooding conditions on roads as well as water rescues along the river.