Help For the Hill Country

Fayette County’s Vandever an Operations Chief in Disaster Area

Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever, Captain Neil Watkins and EMT Sam Brychta deployed to Kerrville on July 4 to assist in the response to the devastating flood. They’re part of Texas Emergency Medical Task Force 7.

At last Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting, Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Angela Hahn reported that Vandever is serving as the Task Force Operations Chief in Kerr and Williamson counties. Watkins and Brychta provided medical care to other first responders and residents, she said. They also assisted with the reunification effort.

“The devastation they are witnessing is enormous,” Hahn said.

Hahn said Watkins and Brychta were scheduled to return home last week. Another EMS crew from Fayette County would replace them, she said. Vandever will remain in the Hill Country while recovery efforts continue.

President Donald Trump toured the flood-stricken areas last week, and Vandever got to meet him during a visit with first responders.

Rescue and recovery efforts had to be halted on Sunday after another storm dumped several inches of rain on the already-soaked Hill Country.