Swiftwater Rescue Award

Chattooga River Swiftwater Rescue Task Force was developed in 1996 to enhance to capabilities of rescues on the recreational rivers common to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.  The task force has members from local government, private businesses, and federal agencies.

Although response to emergency situations is part of established government programs, most of the members of this task force are volunteers and spend their own time to enhance their skills in rescue techniques.  Their efforts to continue to improve their response was recognized by the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) in 2001 by awarding the task force with the Higgins and Langley Memorial Swiftwater Rescue Program Development Award.  The award was in recognition of the development of an outstanding multi-agency swiftwater-flood rescue program.  This award represents the highest international honor presented for swiftwater training and program development.