There is a renaissance, a revival perhaps, underway at Knox County Rescue (KCR). The spirit, commitment and legacy of what was for so many years the Knox County Volunteer Rescue Squad have returned. In 2023, its roster of active volunteers had dwindled to 43. Today that roster numbers 81 … including 12 women.

Stephanie Gamble of KCR

Since February 2024, KCR has had a new executive director – Stephanie Gamble – to complement Chief Brian Townsend, who became chief in September 2023 after 32 years at the Knoxville Fire Department. These two KCR leaders are pivotal in this revival, working hand-in-hand in rebuilding this important agency. The chief was featured in a KnoxTNToday story this past January here.

Gamble, reared in Karns, joined KCR as a volunteer in 2022 as did her husband, Brian. He is the lieutenant on the Heavy Rescue Team. His “real” job is at Second Harvest Food Bank supervising its fleet and buildings. They also work together as youth directors at Piney Grove Baptist Church – for 24 years – no less. They have two daughters, Shelby, 24, and Katelynn, 20. Daughter Shelby is also a volunteer on the Search & Rescue (SAR) Team and was part of the KCR contingent to the Hurricane Helene carnage.

In addition to her role as executive director, Gamble, 49, also serves as captain of KCR’s SAR team and led a team of 23 into four Tennessee counties – Cocke, Greene, Carter and Unicoi – Sept. 27-30 as part of the Hurricane Helene relief effort. The team included SAR-trained specialists, the Heavy Rescue Team for building searches and the Swiftwater Rescue Team.

As KCR’s executive director, Gamble is responsible for all finances and funding, including grants and donations, media and public relations, and the KCR Cadet program for high school students between the ages of 14 and 18.

People are noticing the new KCR. “I have people … say that we’re returning to our roots, and I say it as well. We are becoming the rescue squad again that … was loved and respected by so many,” she proudly said.

Helping with Helene

Knox County Fire Marshal Brent Seymour, working with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to line up rescue resources, called KCR Chief Townsend at 3 p.m. Friday, the day rains from Helene reached East Tennessee. Gamble said KCR crews left at 5:30 p.m. “That response is all about commitment and a love of what we do when we are needed. And we were needed.”

Gamble shared a sampling of what KCR’s volunteers did over that weekend:

  • On Saturday, Sept. 28, the KCR team did welfare checks at 100 flooded homes that local authorities had not searched.
  • The KCR Swiftwater Rescue Team made five successful rescues on Saturday in the Nolichucky River.
  • The swiftwater team assisted in Cocke County as well.
  • The Heavy Rescue Team was dispatched to clear all of the buildings at the Impact Plastics manufacturing company now facing legal issues after five of its employees died in the flooding and another remains missing. The team also cleared all buildings inside the Riverview Industrial Park. The SAR also conducted ground searches in and around downtown Erwin.
  • Gamble’s team found the pocketbook of the still-missing woman from the plastics company in the mud and inside was her cell phone, billfold, keys and ID cards. They passed those on to authorities.
  • Gamble said they were dealing with hazardous materials and also sewage from a wastewater treatment plant. No one from KCR sustained any injuries while there.

One major takeaway stuck with Gamble. “What really impressed me the most is how appreciative the people we helped were. These small rural communities came together for each other, doing their own welfare checks on families and neighbors instead of waiting for the rescue teams,” she said.

KCR’s teams had to return to Knoxville on Monday, Sept. 30, for a mandatory 48-hour rest and rehab time that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) requires. They have not been asked to return to date.

Gamble says KCR is always looking for volunteers and current and upcoming high school students to enter its Cadet program that trains students to see if volunteering for KCR is a good fit. To become a KCR volunteer or join the Cadet program, just click on this link or call 865-546-4852.

Gamble loves her search & rescue role. “The thought of … families not knowing what has happened to their loved ones is a horrible thing. I want to help the families,” she says. “It helps gives them closure. But unfortunately, about 70% of our SAR work is recovering bodies and the other 30% is a successful rescue. If we get involved in the searches sooner, we would have more successful rescues. This is a passion I have. My husband says it must be a DNA thing.”

Meet the members of the KCR board of directors:

  • LeaAnn Sanford, owner of P&L Business Services
  • Tony Chamberlain, captain/Aviation Unit Commander, Knox County Sheriff’s Office
  • Tommy White, retired fire marshal with Sevier County
  • Sgt. Sam Lindsey, tackle flight officer/tracking commander, KCSO
  • Mark Empey, facility maintenance team leader at Aisin Automotive Casting of Clinton
  • Dr. Russ Frazier, anesthesiologist, former KCR chief
  • Rachael Ellis, director of development, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
  • Julia McKee, retired supervisory agent with Tennessee Homeland Security.

Tom King has been the editor of newspapers in Texas and California and also worked in Tennessee and Georgia. If you have someone you think we should consider featuring, please email him at the link with his name or text him at 865-659-3562.