Georgia Power to install Emergency Extrication System at Tallulah Gorge

Plans have been approved for Georgia Power to install an emergency extrication system at Tallulah Gorge. Rabun County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg James gives details. “It will come from the top of the Gorge down to the bottom of the Gorge and it will be there for rescue purposes. It is on the northern side, which is all Rabun County. Rabun County EMA Director Brian Panell has worked really hard with Georgia Power. Georgia Power is putting this in at no cost, now the county will have to maintain it, which we certainly will, but we are looking forward to the use of that. The reason is because we expect it will cut rescue time at least in half and make it safer for those that are being taken out due to injury and make it much safer for the personnel that go down in there for those people that go down and risk their lives to help people in distress and get them to where they can have great medical care.” Rabun County Search and Rescue ran almost 50 calls in the Gorge last year, so this will improve response capability for calls that involve rope systems or swiftwater rescue. The emergency extrication system was approved after an executive session following Tuesday’s, May 28, 2024, Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting.