Department reports: rec-center events, career fair delay and city responders assist flood rescues

City department heads reported several community events and recent emergency responses during the meeting's department head reports segment.

A department head described upcoming events at the recreation center and ice rink, including an MSAC tournament with four games on Saturday and a princess skate for children aged about 3 through 12. The city’s career fair was announced as rescheduled for March 6 after weather-related delays.

Staff also summarized emergency deployments during recent flooding. South Charleston's swift-water rescue team deployed to assist in Mercer County and later to Williamson. According to the department report, teams assisted with 12 evacuations early in Mercer County, performed 12 “legitimate rescues” in Williamson and saved four dogs from drowning; team members reported shifts of up to 20 hours. The city report also noted coordination with the National Guard and regional volunteer fire departments. Department speakers credited preventive maintenance of storm drainage for reducing local flood damage.

Council members and staff also discussed operational matters including salt supplies for winter, mutual aid with neighboring jurisdictions on road clearing, and appreciation for public-works crews for recovery work. No formal council actions or budget allocations were taken during this segment; the remarks were informational departmental reports.