The Nixa Fire Protection District and Ozark Fire Protection District have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a unified Joint Swiftwater Rescue Team.
The partnership will allow specially trained firefighters from both districts to operate as one team during major emergencies, including incidents requiring assistance elsewhere in Missouri or across the country.
Ozark Fire Chief Jared Metheny and Nixa Fire Chief Lloyd Walles told Ozarks First that the arrangement also allows the districts to send trained personnel to extended incidents while maintaining adequate staffing at their home stations.
Members of the new team will come from both fire districts and will be required to pass rigorous annual swim tests while meeting ongoing technical rescue training standards.
Both districts say they will continue pursuing additional partnerships, resource-sharing opportunities and advanced training to strengthen fire suppression, emergency medical and technical rescue services.
More information on the story can be found on the Ozarks First Website.
