Fire Department Hones Its Water Rescue Response

Residents enjoying their watercraft this summer should rest assured that, in the case of an emergency, the is prepared to respond at the first sign of distress.

The Fire Department set up and attended a water rescue drill at the in Manorhaven in June.

“This drill consisted of a boat fire at the fuel dock with victims in the water,” said Brian Waterson, Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief. “Upon arrival, [as part of the drill] the Fire Department found a boat fire in close proximity to the fuel dock and three victims with serious injuries in the water. The Fire Department had to rescue the victims, extinguish the boat fire and protect the fuel dock.”

Members from the Fire Department’s four companies – Atlantic Hook & Ladder, Protection Engine, Flower Hill Hose and Fire Medics – were involved in the drill, Waterson said.

“Port Washington is a peninsula and there are a lot of boats in the waters around this community,” Waterson said. “It is important to train and practice these skills so that when the real incident takes place, everyone is on their toes.”

“On calls, all four companies respond as the Port Washington Fire Department and work together. Therefore, we practice like the real thing,” he explained.

During the water rescue drill, Atlantic Hook & Ladder was responsible for the water rescue of the victims, Protection and Flower Hill were responsible for extinguishing the fire, and Fire Medics treated the victims and transported them to the hospital, Waterson said. While there were “victims” in the water during the drill, those victims were not physically harmed or actually taken to the hospital during the drill, he added. The Fire Department practiced treating and transporting said victims.

Equipment used during the drill included exposure suits, portable pumps, a portable boat, ropes and stokes baskets.

“Exposure suits keep rescuers dry and warm in colder waters,” Waterson explained. “They also keep the rescuer afloat and have a harness attached so that they can be hooked up to a rope.”

“A stokes basket is designed to be used where there are obstacles to movement or other hazards, for example: in confined spaces, on slopes, in wooded terrain or in the water,” Waterson continued. “Typically it is shaped to accommodate a victim in a face-up position and it is used in search-and-rescue operations. The person is strapped into the basket, making the safe evacuation possible. The person generally is further protected by a backboard and a cervical collar, so as to immobilize the person and prevent further injury. A stokes basket essentially is a stretcher with sides, or just a raised edge.”

The Port Washington Fire Department is always looking for more members. Anyone interested in joining should call 516-883-2200, ext. 570.

To learn more about the Port Washington Fire Department, visit www.pwfd.com.