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New all-volunteer emergency response team sweeps into county to help during disasters

JANESVILLE — Help filling sandbags during floods.

Food and drink for firefighters during major incidents.

Shelter for emergency workers during a winter storm.

Traffic control for utility crews working to restore power after an ice storm.

These are the kinds of services members of a new, nonprofit organization of volunteers is prepared to tackle, said David Diestler, executive director of Southern Wisconsin Emergency Preparedness Team.

The rapid-response team will be available 24/7 starting Jan. 1. The team can be called for help by emergency management, the sheriff's office, 911 center, police departments, fire departments and other emergency service agencies in Rock County.

Diestler, past executive director of the South Central Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross, said SWEPT will not duplicate services offered by the Red Cross.

"The Red Cross works with victims. We work with men and women out there on the line fighting fires and protecting citizens," he said.

Tom Mooney, CEO of the American Red Cross Western Wisconsin Territory, said the Red Cross continues to provide canteen services for first responders in Rock County.

"We've had two such feeding calls in Rock County since the fiscal year started July 1. We go when needed and when asked. We continue to respond to fires and disasters as they come up in addition to feeding/canteening," he said.

Red Cross volunteers have taken up to two hours to get to an incident when the Town of Beloit Fire Department has called for assistance, Town of Beloit Fire Chief Dennis Ahrens said.

Mooney said the Red Cross has a disaster action team ready to respond day and night.

"We try to have volunteers in each county, who take their own vehicle but come to one spot and all go together so they can be organized at working together. Our goal is to respond within two hours of a call," Mooney said.

Mooney said the Red Cross would not compete with SWEPT when it's providing the same services.

"If they're there doing it, that's fantastic. Or if they are not available or unable to meet the need we would be there," he said.

"My understanding is SWEPT will focus on feeding and supporting first responders. The American Red Cross will be looking to take care of residents impacted by disasters," Mooney said.

SWEPT began organizing in March and set a first-year budget of $10,000. Team members donated the start-up money, Diestler said.

"We're using our own money because we feel so strong there's a need out there," Diestler said.

Jody Stowers, a lieutenant with the Janesville Fire Department, agreed there is a need for SWEPT.

"Not only are they equipped to assist the fire department with long-term rehab, you see more and more mutual aid departments coming into cities because of staffing issues," he said.

SWEPT will provide water, snacks and meals when firefighters are on scene long-term, Stowers said.

"It's stuff we need to rehab and something we used to get from the Red Cross that is getting more into disaster management and not so much rehab," he said.

SWEPT is collaborating with the Town of Beloit Fire Department to provide rehab services to first responders.

The department has a vehicle that provides shelter for firefighters from extreme weather. It's equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, cold water and supplies, but the town fire department doesn't have the staff to provide canteen services, Diestler said.

"SWEPT has experienced volunteers who can fill this need," he said.

Ahrens agreed:

"SWEPT is involved in helping supply the vehicle as far as water, food and then they're going to help hand this stuff out. We need the extra bodies," he said.

Both Red Cross and SWEPT volunteers can use the vehicle, Ahrens said.

"It's just this new team will be able to help us out a little faster," he said.

SWEPT is looking for more volunteers. The team has 20 members—90 percent of whom formerly were associated with the Red Cross.

"We can instantly go to the scene, help out and just be another resource," Diestler said. "We're really excited about that."