Golden's Bridge Firefighters Take To The Water For Rescue Exercises

GOLDEN'S BRIDGE, NY — It's the perfect time to be on the waters of the Hudson Valley, and the responders who help keep us safe are making the most of it — for all our sakes.

From the Golden's Bridge Fire Department.

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The Golden's Bridge Fire Department Marine 25 Unit recently conducted water rescue training exercises on a local waterway as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining a high level of preparedness for emergencies on and around the Muscoot Reservoir system and the many ponds and lakes in the fire district. Marine 25 personnel and supporting shoreline crews participate in year-round drills geared to water and (in winter) ice rescue emergencies.

The summer exercises, says Golden's Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo, provide firefighters with valuable experience in emergency response involving overturned row boats, distressed swimmers, and other water-related emergencies. With the abundance of lakes and ponds and the vast reservoir system in the Northern Westchester region, he noted that emergency water rescue is an important part of firefighter training for the Golden's Bridge Fire Department and volunteer fire departments in surrounding communities

"Water rescues present unique challenges that require specialized training, tools and apparatus, and, equally important, teamwork between personnel on the water and those providing support from the shoreline," Melillo explained. "Regular training sharpens the skills of our first-responders and keeps them proficient in rescue techniques and the use of various tools and apparatus. Our priority is successful deployment and rescue, as well as responder safety. Everything is geared to getting victims and rescuers out of the water as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible."

At the latest training exercise, firefighters reviewed an operational checklist before launching Marine 25 into the water, where rescuers trained in the use of throw bags, rescue ropes, life rings, and other apparatus. To provide personnel with realistic emergency conditions, and to get the most out of practicing deployment techniques and rescue apparatus, Melillo said Golden's Bridge firefighters also played the part of swimmers and fishermen in distress.

The Golden's Bridge fire chief said effective communication and decision-making are part of the training exercises.

"Every second counts when someone is in trouble in the water. Rapid assessment is critical. Is the distressed individual conscious, are they staying afloat on their own power, do rescuers have to jump in to execute a rapid water extraction, is deployment of a rescue rope or long-reach pole the fastest and most effective assistance, what level of medical aid is required? All of this information is communicated to command so that shoreline personnel and EMS responders are prepared to take appropriate action when victims are brought to land," Melillo explained.

"We continually train in vessel launch and maneuvers, rescue strategies and protocols, radio communication practices, victim assessment, rapid deployment, rescue techniques, and coordinated shoreline operations in order to maximize our response preparedness for any eventuality, from the lowest level to the most complex incidents," Melillo added.

A significant part of the training focused on rescuing distressed swimmers, with firefighters practicing proper procedures for approaching victims and avoiding actions with their own watercraft that could endanger those in distress. They rotated among various retrieval methods, either bringing individuals aboard the rescue vessel or towing them safely to shore as they grasped a buoyant throw bag or other flotation-assistance device.

]Unfortunately, recreational boating – whether fishing in the reservoir or going for a leisurely row boat excursion on a local lake – sometimes turns into an emergency when people get careless or ignore common-sense safety measures, according to the Golden's Bridge fire chief, who offered the following safety tips:

• Always go out in pairs for any water activity, and always carry your cell phone in an airtight plastic bag or waterproof pouch so one of you can call 911 in an emergency.
• Always wear a properly fitting life jacket.
• Never consume alcoholic beverages on the water.
• Be mindful of the weight capacity of your vessel to prevent capsizing.
• Know your physical capabilities if you decide to take a swim, or you could exhaust yourself to the point of being unable to climb back into your boat.
• Monitor weather conditions before heading onto the water, and cancel your plans if high winds, stormy weather, and thunder and lightning are in the forecast.

"Prevention is the most effective form of water safety and reducing the risk of an afternoon of outdoor fun turning into an emergency," Melillo said. "But if you find yourself in an emergency situation, Golden's Bridge firefighters are prepared to respond. These training exercises help us maintain the knowledge, confidence, and technical skills to respond quickly and effectively when every second counts," he added.

This release was produced by the Golden's Bridge Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.