ACERT Special Operations

09/10/2026

JUST A DRILL
JUST A DRILL
JUST A DRILL

Your ACERT Special Operations spent last night learning some new skills and considerations so tonight, your units hit the north end of the county tonight for a challenging drill.

The scenario: a teenage boy, a rope swing, bicycle handlebars and a river. What could go wrong?

The water was 13 foot deep, 40’ wide, moving along at 4.5 mph.

The access was muddy, deal mud holes, slick banks, ravines, rocks, fallen trees.

The catch for the crew, you can only use what you hike in with.

ACERT members operated under Special Operations Command, deploying a swiftwater swimmer, making patient contact, setting up a high line and safely moving our victim across the water and back out the difficult terrain to the waiting ambulance.

Another, did you know… ACDPS EMS has members attached to ACERT? The EMT’s and Paramedics of ACERT make contact, assess and help with the decisions involving the patient back to the duty crews? Now you know.

Wait, we ain’t done. We are here, let’s practice some skills. Reach - Throw - Row - Go - Hey Will, we want a Helo!

Our uninvited guest—a snake estimated somewhere between 5 feet, 6 feet or even approximately 19 feet long, depending on which rescuer tells the story. Basically, the kind that eats alligators.

But our favorite picture wasn’t the ropes or rescue systems. It was the whole team standing in the water afterward, laughing and cooling off together. That’s the brotherhood and camaraderie behind the training.

Welcome to our newest members, David Brooks, County Fire Station 1, and Riley Culvert, County Fire Station 8. They got a pretty solid introduction to Special Operations!

Train hard. Work together. Come home together.

Interested in ACERT? Reach out to a member of the Special Operations Command Group to get started.

08/19/2026

3350: Water Rescue Operations course hosted by ACERT in Due West September 8-11 starting at 1800hrs.

Prerequisites: 3310

Contact Hours: 16

This course introduces the student to the four water rescue specialties (ice, surf, dive, and swift water), based on NFPA 1670 and 1006. The concepts of buoyancy, water dynamics, and basic hazard recognition, identifying likely victim location, and handling witnesses will be addressed.

Other areas will include basic water survival and self rescue, low to high-risk benefit rescue techniques, and shore-based water rescue skills.

As part of the course, each student must pass a basic swimming test that includes treading water and swimming 50 meters in a pool for successful completion.

PPE:
Wet Suit and/or swim suit

Coast Guard-approved Type III PFD (We have plenty on the Rescue trucks)

Water whistle

The course is not showing in the region, so click this link and go down to 3350:

08/03/2026

RTS has Advance SWII August 21-23!

If anyone is interested, let me know.

07/31/2026

The SOC group and members of ACERT extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by tragic diving incident with Lexington County.

Special operations is built around responding to low-frequency, high-risk incidents—the calls that most agencies hope never happen. Whether it’s technical rescue, swift water, underwater rescue or recovery, confined space, structural collapse, search and rescue, or other specialized missions, these operations demand extensive training, teamwork, and a willingness to accept significant risk in service to others.

This serves as a solemn reminder that behind every training or rescue mission are dedicated professionals who serve, despite the dangers.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters, the family, friends and love ones of the fallen Public Safety Diver and the agencies involved. Stay safe, watch out for one another, and never take a routine training day for granted.

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LEXINGTON COUNTY DEPUTY DIES DURING DIVE TEAM TRAINING ON LAKE MURRAY

📍Lexington, South Carolina

Several people contacted me Thursday after seeing the extensive response on the lake. One person shared a photo showing numerous emergency boats gathered near the Lake Murray Dam on the Lexington side of the lake as first responders searched the water.

A short time ago the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Master Deputy Jillian Olson, 29, died during an underwater dive team training exercise.

Olson began her career with the sheriff’s department in 2021 as a patrol deputy before transferring to the Warrant Division after more than a year. She was promoted to master deputy in 2025 and joined the department’s dive team in 2024.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Department,” Koon said in a statement. “Jillian exemplified commitment and service. She faithfully carried out her duties and selflessly worked to make those around her better.”

Olson was recognized by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation earlier this year as the outstanding judicial services deputy of the year.

She also received the department’s Tactical Operations Support Award in 2023 and was scheduled to receive a five-year honorable service award next month.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into Olson’s death, with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

⚫️🔵⚫️

07/18/2026

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07/17/2026

What an amazing opportunity for our guys to conduct an FFX at The Shoals Mx.

The crew had no idea what was coming at them.

From boots on the ground, K-9’s and handlers on site, drones in the air, our technical rescue guys ready to go to work, the rangers on the move, our dive team watching the water points, and the IMT/IST following the leads to complete the mission.

Special thank you to:

ACDPS Emergency Management Division and Coordinator Kayla Rhodes

ACDPS EMS Division and Coordinator Charlie Partain

ACDPS 911 and Communications Division and Coordinator Ashley Giles

ACDPS Fire Service Division and Coordinator JT Bass

Cannot forget the support of our ACDPS ACERT Coordinator Marty and the ACDPS Director, Will Blackwell

07/16/2026

Well, how about that FFX the other night?

A couple of things:

-Divers tomorrow morning leaving the EOC at 0800. Check with Chandler if you plan to go.

-Boat 1 is getting the new electronics on, so we are getting close to having her in service.

-Boaters Education, swing by Marty’s office and get your book and register.

-We will be sending out information about SarTOPO/CalTOPO course and some training opportunities.

-Any member needing EMR, check with Charlie, we have one starting this month.

-Check with Lucy about the upcoming Chain Saw course.

07/14/2026

Reminder to all divisions, we have a FFX tonight at 1800hrs.

Everyone be staged and prepped at briefing location for a 1800 hard start.

06/30/2026

It has been another busy week for the members of ACERT. We made it through the ACDPS kids camp, then hit the ground running.

While many were enjoying the holiday weekend, our volunteers were training, supporting community events, preparing for future disasters, and assisting our partner agencies across the region.

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Several of our ACERT EMTs, Paramedics, firefighters, and technical rescue personnel spent the weekend attending FarMedic (Farm Emergency Response & Medical Assistance). This specialized program prepares responders to safely manage agricultural emergencies involving heavy equipment, grain bins, entanglements, hazardous farm environments, and large machinery.

The knowledge gained directly strengthens ACERT’s capabilities in man vs. machine rescues, industrial incidents, confined space operations, and technical rescue.

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We were hoping to have the new boat on the water by the holiday week, but the motor is on back order.

Our Marine Unit had our loaner boat from Palmetto Emergency Outfitters and dive personnel deployed throughout the holiday weekend, providing rescue readiness and water safety coverage during community events.

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The ACERT Drone Team continues supporting our local and regional partners.

• Aerial incident oversight
• Fire scene monitoring
• Search operations
• Investigation support
• Disaster reconnaissance
• Mapping and situational awareness

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Our Technical Rescue and Dive Team leadership recently attended a regional flood preparedness meeting alongside Emergency Management officials, the National Weather Service, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, FEMA, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and numerous response partners. Together, they discussed flood science, forecasting, response coordination, and participated in tabletop exercises designed to strengthen regional disaster response.

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Divers and Water Rescue, reminder of training this Thursday.

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🏁 ACERT Ranger 2 will also be supporting EMS operations at The Shoals MX during the Coal Miner’s Championship on the Loretta Lynn Replica Track, providing rapid access and medical support throughout the three-day event.

06/09/2026

As a division of Abbeville County Department of Public Safety, we are working on a back to school, school supply drive. Help us, help others.