SPECIAL OPERATIONS of the LEWISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Our special operations division is part of the Lewisville Fire Department, but not all members are required to be part of a special operations team.  These members undergo specialized initial training and must maintain proficiency by obtaining monthly continuing education in their particular discipline.  We currently offer two specialized programs.

 

Water Rescue Program

The Lewisville Fire district contains the Yadkin River, which flows along the western border, as well as several large creeks and ponds.  It was decided that a team of members was needed who received specialized training in dealing with the unique hazards of performing rescues in and near these bodies of water.

The team responds to all water rescue calls in the Town of Lewisville as well as Forsyth County.  In addition to being the local resource, our water rescue team is also a resource for the State of North Carolina and responds to natural disasters when requested.  Our team has traveled to various locations around the State for training and incidents and have been deployed during Hurricane Matthew (2016), Hurricane Florence (2018), Hurricane Michael (2018), Hurricane Dorian (2019), and Hurricane Isaias (2020).

 

 

UAS Team

In 2019, we created an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) program.  With emerging technology and advanced equipment, we found it to be beneficial to utilize drones in a lot of our normal incidents and training.  We currently have 17 FAA certified pilots who show and maintain proficiency in operating our drones.  Our UAS Team responds as a resource for Forsyth County and is frequently called by surrounding counties to assist with calls as well.  We utilize our drones during: structure fires, missing boaters on the river, damage assessments, pre-incident planning and a vast array of other types of incidents and events.