In June, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dive and Recovery Team received some much needed equipment, thanks to the Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services. In December, Steve Jones, Lawrence County OES Coordinator announced that his department would be working to obtain grant money through FEMA to provide equipment for the team.
Once approved, the equipment valued at nearly $9,000.00 was ordered using as many local vendors as possible. Terry and Keith Sharp with J & T Dive Shop in Jonesboro worked with the dive team, providing quotes for the needed equipment as well as a wealth of knowledge and information.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dive Team consist of 12 volunteers from across the county, trained in diving, boating, search and rescue, evidence recovery and a vast array of emergency response training. The team also has more Boat Training scheduled for July, Divers Training in July, Rapid Deployment and Rescue in August and a joint training exercise in September with the Pocahontas Fire Department Dive Team, Sharp County Sheriff’s Department Divers and a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Dive Team.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dive Team and Sheriff Jody Dotson wish to extend a big “Thank You†to Steve Jones and Sherri Sparks with the Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services for their hard work not just for the dive team, but for what they do for the entire county.
The purpose of Sheriff’s Dotson’s Dive Team is to assist any police department or fire department in Lawrence County in the event of flooding, stranded boaters, missing persons around rivers, streams, lakes or ponds. Also, in the event of evidence submerged in water, the team would be able to recover the items. The team also has a Mutual Aide agreement with Randolph County OES and the Pocahontas Fire Department Dive Team to respond with each other on any calls in Randolph and Lawrence Counties.
For more information on the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.lawrencecountysheriffsoffice.com .