Last August, Tropical Storm Debby created 11 water incidents that required Bulloch County citizens to be rescued. Three months later, an unnamed storm dumped a foot of rain on the area, causing four more water incidents where local residents needed rescuing. Overall, more than 85 people were rescued.

During Debby, Georgia search and rescue teams from Columbus and Perry carried out the rescues with local support from the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, Bulloch County Fire Department and Statesboro Fire Department. Local agencies handled the rescues during the November storm.

Against that backdrop, the City of Perry Fire and Emergency Services conducted a swift/high water rescue class over the weekend for first responders from the Statesboro Fire Department, Bulloch County Fire Department, Bulloch County Sheriff's Office and Bulloch County EMS.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to public safety, this resource will improve our emergency response capabilities in the county and will also be available to assist neighboring counties," Dal Cannady, communications director for Bulloch County, wrote in an email. "It's important to remember that no rescue is ever done alone. Water emergencies require coordinated teamwork, clear communication, and shared responsibilities to ensure both victim and responder safety."

The responders participated in classroom training on Saturday and then in field exercises in a pond off Banks Church Creek Road, north of Hopeulikit, on Sunday.