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  Southern Technical Aquatic Resource & Rescue

READY TO RESPOND TO WATER RELATED DISASTERS

 

In need of water rescue resources?

 

Disasters not only impact our communities but they are becoming more destructive, this is especially true with water related events. Of course, the immediate concern is the loss of life, survivors (some who may have been injured during the disaster), traumatized, and not able to safely conduct a self-rescue. Southern Technical Aquatic Resource and Rescue (STARR) water rescue team has highly trained, dedicated, and devoted members that can respond to water related disasters rapidly and effectively. Our primary gold during a water related event is to respond as a FORCE MULTIPLIER and with ADDITIONAL RESOURCES to assist PUBLIC AGENCIES IMMEDIATELY in performing rescues of those individuals who are in danger due to rising flood waters and that of swift moving water.


Water-related hazards dominate the list of disasters in terms of both the human and economic toll over the past 50 years.  Of the top 10 disasters, the hazards that led to the largest human losses during the period have been droughts (650 000 deaths), storms (577 232 deaths), floods (58 700 deaths) and extreme temperature (55 736 deaths), according to the forthcoming WMO Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes (1970-2019). Weather, climate and water-related hazards are increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change. Water is the primary vehicle through which we feel the impacts of climate change. To effectively address both water and climate challenges, we must bring climate change and water to the same table – into the same conversation: Tackling them as one. 


The projected impacts of climate change clearly indicate consequences for the occurrence of disasters: enhanced sea level rise and more pronounced hydro-meteorological extremes, with a higher frequency of intense storms, locally more intense rainfall, and higher river discharge extremes. Globally, water-related disasters already account for 90% of all natural disasters. Their frequency and intensity is generally rising due to climate change, causing enormous damage to life and property. Climate change is a factor in these trends. Historically, water-related disasters have been thought of and treated as isolated, one-off events that triggered responses in their aftermath as reactive crisis management (relief and response). Hence, disaster risk reduction has often focused on improving primary, reactive responses, such as capacity building for emergency management on how to cope with major disasters such as tsunamis, or developing flood contingency plans on how to coordinate emergency responses among a variety of
actors. Compared to relief and response, much less attention has been paid to prevention and mitigation.

Our goal is to assist communities during water-related events or emergencies. Through careful selection, our executive staff have developed a team of highly skilled water rescue professionals who have real-world experience, understands the concepts of Incident Command and NIMS, uses out-the-box thinking to find solutions, and believes in working as a team to accomplish the mission. STARR has the ability to do the job, and do it well.




STARR will provide a Mission Ready Package to any requesting agency to include insurance documents.


Historic Flooding August 2016 - Baton Rouge, LA


In August 2016, historic floods devastated parts of south Louisiana after a slow-moving system dumped more than 20 inches of rain in parts of East Baton Rouge and nearby parishes in a three-day span. 


After the unprecedented rainfall, all of that water began its journey south, swelling rivers and flooding thousands of homes. Record rain levels exceeded more than 20 inches in a 48 hour period, while accumulations of over 31 inches were reported just northeast of Baton Rouge.


Gov. Edwards declared a state of emergency Saturday, calling the floods "unprecedented" and "historic." He and his family were even forced to leave the Governor's Mansion when chest-high water filled the basement and electricity was shut off. Over several days more than 20,000 people were rescued by first responders. STARR had several team members who responded to the call for help from the Bossier Parish area.