ADAMS RUN, S.C., Oct. 8, 2016 — Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard responded to an emergency services request to assist with transportation after a 911 call here today, as flood waters rise throughout the state’s lowcountry, restricting access to citizens who remain behind.

The soldiers from B Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, were staged out of the Bees Ferry Fire Department when the request came in to transport emergency medical personnel to a citizen in need of medical attention whose house was surrounded by flood waters, explained Army Maj. Trae Redmond, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade executive officer. A three-person team with a light medium tactical vehicle was ready to respond when the call came in.

“Based on the floods from last year, emergency operations centers pre-positioned assets based on critical areas to increase responsiveness to calls for assistance,” Redmond said.

The soldiers were able to transport the medical personnel to care for, stabilize and evacuate the patient.

Additional missions are being conducted along the South Carolina coast, including the Myrtle Beach area, where 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, responded to a similar request.

Assets Staged for Quick Response

The South Carolina National Guard has assets staged throughout the lowcountry and along the coast to respond to emergencies during and after Hurricane Matthew, including vehicles that can transport medical personnel and other first responders through high-water areas and engineer assets to help clear debris in the aftermath.

“I am so proud of the soldiers -- what a privilege it is to be able to support the people of South Carolina,” said Army Col. Jeffrey Jones, 218th MEB commander. “What we have to continue to do is remain focused on responding visibly, quickly and meaningfully and that’s what we are doing.”