Southington Firefighter Gains Vital Whitewater Training

SOUTHINGTON, CT — One of Southington's bravest recently completed some important training he probably hopes will never be needed.

Southington Fire Department Lt. Daniel Comen spent time this past weekend in Maryland training to perform advanced, swiftwater rescues.

Such scenarios often involve submerged vehicles in raging rivers and are among the most difficult and dangerous rescues responders face, hence the need for specialized training.

Comen undertook that training in McHenry, Md., Saturday and Sunday as part of Connecticut Task Force 1, according to the SFD via Facebook.

"Several SFD members belong to this statewide rescue team that provides assistance to cities and towns in the event of significant incidents involving swiftwater/flood rescue, structural collapse, trench rescue and wide area search," wrote the SFD.

Also on hand were members of Connecticut’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, which also traveled to McHenry, Md., to participate in a “rescue from vehicles in water” training course, held at a manmade whitewater facility, according to the Connecticut State Police's Facebook page.

Police said information gained from this training will be shared with other members of the task force in upcoming training events.

In all, a total of eight Connecticut State Troopers, local first responders and state Department of Transportation engineers are members of USAR.

State police posted gripping photos on social media showing the type of training members went through over the weekend at the man-made rapids training facility in Maryland.

"These dramatic photos serve as a frightening reminder that operators should not drive through water that has covered the roadway," wrote CSP. "Please, turn around. Don’t drown."

For the Southington Fire Department's Facebook page, click on this link.

For the Connecticut State Police's Facebook page, click on this link.