Bell Co. Sheriff's Dept. Activates New Emergency Services Unit - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Bell County's new sheriff is already making some big changes.

Sheriff Eddy Lange and county commissioners have created a new Emergency Services Unit.

The idea is to help the sheriff's department better respond to disasters, and people who live in the area are no stranger to the sometimes devastating power of nature.

When the 2010 flood waters ripped through Bell County, those caught up in the currents depended on first responders to get them out.

"It's a matter of every time it rains, you cringe," said Toby Young.

He will never forget the day his Medicine Shoppe in Belton was all but washed away.

"We didn't have time to put up sandbags, we didn't have time to take anything out, it was a flash flood," said Toby.

Now sheriff's deputies will be trained to reach national standards, so they can better work with other agencies to help people like Toby during floods, fires or other disasters.

"The question is not if, it's when, and you want to be prepared for that," said Donnie Adams.

Donnie took charge of the sheriff department's brand new Emergency Services Unit at the beginning of the year.

"The sheriff just wants to make sure that the sheriff's department, in the big scheme of things, is prepared to answer those calls and help where we can," said Donnie.

He will work closely with the county's emergency management office to make sure the sheriff's department is ready to respond to their requests, and when disaster strikes, that makes all the difference.

Bell County Emergency Management Coordinator Dennis Baker said, "Additional resources from the sheriff's office will help my staff, the county emergency operations, and give me direct communication with some of the folks out in the field."

And after losing everything, Toby knows all too well that every moment counts.

"We don't know what the next disaster is going to be. Is it going to be a fire, is it going to be flood?" said Toby.

So whatever forces of nature may come in the future, Bell County agencies are joining forces to keep folks safe.

The new coordinating unit will be made-up of two people.

In the coming months, they'll be working with the county, the city, police and rescuers to streamline disaster plans.

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford cbuford@kcentv.com