Dallas Fire-Rescue unit acts swiftly when waters rise

Dallas Fire-Rescue unit acts swiftly when waters rise

Few situations are more challenging or more dangerous for first responders than water rescues. That’s why Dallas Fire Rescue’s Swift Water Rescue Unit was created 20 years ago. DFR currently operates seven flat water boat stations and one swift water team whose job is rescue or recovery from fast-moving water.

Thus far in 2015, the Unit has donned wet suits, helmets and personal flotation devices and responded to 50 swift water rescue calls, ultimately saving 35 lives. The Unit’s equipment, which includes an inflatable boat, flat water boats and Marine 1, is located at Lake Ray Hubbard. Hundreds of hours of initial and continuing education is required for all DFR members to be certified as technicians in all areas of water rescue.

8The high risk nature of water incidents makes this specialized training and equipment necessary. Thus, the Unit uses the rescue method with the highest potential for success and the lowest risk to rescuers. Each shift contains a minimum of six technicians and two flat water boats and four Marine 1 certified members are always at each location.

DFR’s Swift Water Rescue Unit urges people to avoid driving through roadways covered with water. It’s not what a person can see that poses the greatest risk; it’s the unseen and unpredictability of rising water that takes lives.

For a look at how the Swift Water Unit goes about their work visit http://bit.ly/1HTtjxc.

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