On March 17, a tragedy struck a 7-year-old boy and his family in Franklin County. A group of children was enjoying time on the Tar River when an accident occurred, and the 7-year-old fell into the water and was swept away. Bystanders at the scene quickly called 911, and emergency services responded promptly.

However, Franklin County does not have a swift water rescue team, and our local fire departments are limited in the equipment available for handling this type of rescue efficiently. Upon arrival, fire crews immediately requested assistance from out-of-county resources, which took over an hour to reach the location. Unfortunately, it took eight long days before the 7-year-old was finally located, with help from those out-of-county teams.

In light of this tragedy, the Louisburg Fire Department is taking proactive steps to improve our community’s ability to respond to similar situations more quickly and effectively. We are reaching out to our community to raise funds for the necessary equipment to perform faster and more efficient rescues, not only within Franklin County but also to support neighboring counties in need. Your support will help ensure that our fire departments are better equipped to save lives in the future.

To get our swift water rescue team operational, we require a minimum of $45,000. This funding will cover the essential equipment and resources needed to start. We anticipate that additional equipment will be necessary as we grow.

The members of the Louisburg Fire Department sincerely appreciate your consideration in supporting this vital initiative.

Donations

Make Checks Payable to:

Louisburg Fire Department

Memo: Swift Water Rescue Team

102 Wade Ave, Louisburg, NC 27549