2017 Annual Report
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BSORT & MARINE UNIT<br />
BSORT<br />
The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team also functions as part<br />
of a countywide special operations and rescue team.<br />
BSORT (Blount Special Operations Response Team)<br />
is comprised of members from the Sheriff’s Office,<br />
Alcoa Fire Department, AMR, Blount County Rescue<br />
Squad, Maryville Police Department, and citizen volunteers.<br />
The unit specializes in search and rescue<br />
missions on both land and water. In <strong>2017</strong>, BSORT<br />
responded to 22 land and water searches. BSORT<br />
trains monthly. They are a well-trained and equipped<br />
team, and they are ready to respond when needed in<br />
Blount County and East Tennessee.<br />
In addition, beginning in <strong>2017</strong>, BSORT formed a<br />
partnership with Rockford-based RAM (Remote Area<br />
Medical) to begin sharing resources and training for<br />
land and water rescue operations. RAM provides<br />
free medical, dental and vision services to people in<br />
need by way of mobile medical clinics. RAM provides<br />
these services utilizing medical, dental and<br />
other professionals who volunteer their services.<br />
RAM provides these clinics around the country and<br />
the world.<br />
For the past several years, the Gary Lindsey<br />
Memorial Fishing Tournament has generated<br />
thousands of dollars which the founders, Ed and<br />
Janet Lindsey, have utilized to purchase much<br />
needed dive equipment for BSORT. The tournament<br />
is held annually in memory of Gary Lindsey, an avid<br />
hunter and fisherman who drowned on Tellico Lake<br />
in April 2009 while he was scouting for a fishing<br />
tournament. The Sheriff’s Office BSORT responded<br />
and was part of the recovery effort.<br />
Marine Unit<br />
16<br />
The Marine Unit patrols the county’s waterways<br />
during the late spring, summer, and early fall. The<br />
Marine Patrol deputies assist stranded boaters and<br />
inspect private boats to ensure compliance with<br />
Tennessee state laws. In <strong>2017</strong>, the Marine Unit<br />
conducted 29 patrols, two demonstrations, and<br />
participated in two community special events. The<br />
teams also acts as a support unit for divers who are<br />
assigned to BSORT, assisting with water rescue and<br />
recovery operations.<br />
Remote Area Medical Founder Stan Brock talks with members of BSORT during a<br />
training session in August <strong>2017</strong>. RAM and BSORT joined forces in <strong>2017</strong> to share<br />
training and resources.
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