Best Flood Rescuers
TIE: Austin Fire Department, Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens
Forget the names: The Austin Fire Department isn’t just there for fires, and the game wardens don’t just count squirrels. During this year’s unprecedented summer floods, both of these services rescued swimmers, boaters, and even unlucky hikers around Austin from the torrents. It came with a tragic cost, with the loss of Texas Game Warden Teyran "Ty" Patterson during a rescue operation on the Paluxy River in May. Sadly, he was not the first but the fifth warden to die in flood waters since 1919. But when the waters rise, they are there to save the day.
