The Chattanooga Fire Department has a new swiftwater rescue team composed of 26 firefighters.
They have all new gear and five new boats to support their operations.
The team spent several days training on the Hiwassee River for a swiftwater technician course taught by Hamilton County STARS. Firefighters learned different skills, including flipping a capsized boat and swimming in the current.
The team is a deployable asset with the Tri-State Mutual Aid Association and the CFD hopes to soon have the team accredited through the State of Tennessee to become a deployable state asset.
"They will continue training at various locations and they’re prepared to respond to incidents in Chattanooga and beyond," officials said.