EUREKA, Mo. – With severe weather hitting the area, first responders at the Eureka Fire Protection District are preparing for the threat of flash flooding.
“We can deploy it real quick,” Firefighter paramedic Colton Liebenguth said. “Throw it to somebody and pull them in.”
Crews spent Monday morning going through their gear to make certain they’re ready if needed.
“All of our swift water techs have gear – dry suits and helmets,” Fire Chief Scott Barthelmass, Eureka Fire Protection District, said. “They’ve got personal safety flotation devices. They’re ready for that. We are very fortunate that last year, Phillips 66 has a major pipeline through town. And they purchased all new swift water gear for our Swiftwater text, $33,000 worth of gear.”
The wet techs have had to respond to flooded vehicles, homes and businesses before in Eureka.
With parts of the St. Louis region under a flood watch, excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. It’s imperative for these first responders to be ready.
“That water on the roadway doesn’t take a lot to sweep a car off the road. We preach that. ‘Turn around don’t drown,’” Barthelmass said. “The highway patrol, police, and us. Every time we have one of these major storms somewhere in the metropolitan area, we unfortunately see someone that does that, or it comes to a drowning.”