The Nashville Fire Department honored Chief Jim Poplin and the entire Special Tactics and Rescue Services (STARS) team for their participation in the Nashville Floods on May 1. The recognition service was held Monday morning at the emergency Operations Center located on Amnicola Highway.
Nine members of Hamilton County STARS responded to Nashville to assist those stranded or trapped in the flood waters. Chief Jim Poplin, Assistant Chief Clay Ingle, Assistant Chief Buddy Kamin, Captain Greg Banks, Bren Luke, Steve Peters, Jeff Graham, Chris Peters and Keith Pruett. These crews remained in Nashville for several days rescuing hundreds of Nashville residents.
One STARS rescue team had to rescue fire personnel from Nashville Fire Department (Engine 11). During the flood, Nashville Fire Department was responding to an emergency call, when their engine became partially submerged in water all the way up to their hose bed. STARS were able to get fire personnel to dry ground.
Hamilton County STARS was established in 1983 and operates solely by volunteer efforts with no paid members. It is designated to provide special tactical and technical support to area fire, rescue and police services throughout Hamilton County and the surrounding areas. Primary response is Search and Rescue.
Members of STARS are highly trained rescue personnel. Such training consists of EMT, Paramedic, First Responder, Ground Search and Rescue Techniques, Mountain Rescue Techniques, Rescue Scuba Diving and Swift-water Rescue Techniques.
Mayor Claude Ramsey and Commissioner Jim Coppinger attended the event as well.