CLEARFIELD- The Clearfield Fire Department is launching an exciting and challenging effort to attain state certification as a water rescue unit by 2020.
The department set a goal of $45,000 to fund the training and equipment purchases needed to meet the rigorous Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s requirements for the program.
Like most volunteer emergency services, the department is tasked with a variety of responsibilities: firefighting, responding to accidents of all kinds, search and rescue missions and the myriad of reasons people call 911.
“When the whistle blows, CFD members are ready to respond. I’m thrilled the crew is making the commitment to add water rescue to our resume,” said CFD President Debbie Gray.
According to Andrew Smith, currently one of the department’s two state-certified water rescue technicians, the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, which wends through Clearfield County, is reason enough to establish a water rescue team.
“We have the river, which requires swift water rescue ability, and this training will allow us to handle any emergency that involves water, including lakes, floods and even swimming pools.
“State certification also means we can be called to respond anywhere in Pennsylvania and, most importantly, will give us the skills to be effective.”
The department has long had a small boat and, several years ago, added a hovercraft, but Smith noted there hasn’t been an organized effort to address water-related emergencies in many years. This effort marks the first time the department pursued state certification, he noted.
Denise Boyd is the other certified water rescue technician and there are a dozen firefighters working their way through the five state Fish and Boat Commission courses that comprise the training, which takes about a year to complete.
These classes cost approximately $500 each and the team will need to buy boats and trailers, plus a long list of rescue and safety equipment. Among the required items are dry suits, ropes, gloves, helmets, lights, and even life vests for search and rescue dogs.
To learn more about the water rescue team and how to donate, visit the department’s Facebook page, which is monitored for messages.
Gray said department members are happy to speak to businesses, civic and church groups, and offer individual information sessions about the certification effort.
Everyone is also invited to schedule a private tour of the fire station on East Cherry Street to discover the many roles the fire department plays in our area’s emergency service family, Gray added.
Susquehanna River’s cold currents for a water rescue class. The department plans
to be field a state-certified water rescue team by 2020 and is raising $45,000 for
the effort. (Provided Photo).
