Water Rescue Team

The Vestal Fire Protection District contains the Susquehanna River, which flows along the town's northern border, as well as several large creeks and ponds.  In 1996 it was decided to form a team of volunteers who would receive specialized training in dealing with the unique hazards of performing rescues in and near these bodies of water. Hence the Vestal Fire Department's Water Rescue Team was formed.

The team consists of 18 members, each receiving an average of 53 hours of water rescue training per year.  This training takes place the first Sunday of every month and is in addition to the regular weekly training given to all Vestal Fire Department members.  The team responds to all water rescue calls in the Town of Vestal.  The majority of water rescue equipment is provided by the two Boat units although a call within the Vestal Fire District could include one of the four zone engines.  Each engine carries a first responder kit containing two: Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), Helmets, and 70' Throw Bags.

The following is an overview of  the VFD Water Rescue  Program:

• Program Objective
  • To promote and maintain the current Vestal Volunteer Fire Department's Water Rescue Program which is a structured attempt at improving the training, equipment, pre-planning, and general knowledge relating to water rescue type incidents within the district.
  • To provide a structured water rescue response for mutual aid calls to our neighboring departments.
     
• Training:
  • Monthly Training Sessions on the first Sunday (classroom, pool, river, or pond) 
  • A Yearly Average of 53 training hours provided to the members (96'-97')
  • Certified Courses offered to members:
    1. First Response to Swiftwater Emergencies in conjunction with Rescue 3 International
    2. River & Flood Rescue Seminar in conjunction with Rescue 3 International
    3. Ice Rescue in conjunction with Dive Rescue International
    4. New York State Dept Parks & Recreation Boater Safety Course
  • Certified course offered to training leaders:
    1. River Rescue instructed by River Rescue of Harrisburg PA in conjunction with PA Fish & Game
        

• Primary Rescue Apparatus:

  Boat 32-1
  
  14' fiberglass tri-hull, 45hp mercury jet motor, spot lights, console

  Boat 32-3
  
  16' rescue one connector boat w/Johnson outboard 35hp 3 cylinder, dual battery system, dive/rescue platform, light mount, control console, all weather cover, canvas top for rainy conditions or lengthy sun exposure, 24 channel High Band radio, orange/red warning beacons, running lights, remote control spot lights, and removable bench seats
  
  

  • Boats receive weekly check sheets & an annual preventive maintenance visit to an authorized dealer 

  Support Apparatus:

  • Emergency Support 3 (ES 32-3) - transports Boat 32-3, 4 wheel drive
  • Brush Truck 1 (BRUSH 32-1) - transports Boat 32-1, 4 wheel drive
  • RESCUE 32-2 - team support vehicle for shelter, rehab, wet suit/ice suit, dressing room, 4 wheel drive 

  Personal Protective and Rescue Equipment:

  • 14 Wet Suits distributed to active members
  • 5.0mm Wet Suit (top and bottom)
  • 5.0mm booties, 3mm gloves, 6.5mm hoods
  • 5 Stearns Ice/Cold Water Rescue Suits (with pick-o-lifes and ice screws)
  • Personal Flotation Devices - Type III Hi-Float and Type V SwiftWater Ranger w/harness - 18 throughout the district, 10 go with mutual aid calls
  • Whistles
  • 1800' of  ½" PMI water rescue rope (6 rope bags of  300') 
  • Gerby River Shorty Knives
  • Carabiners
  • Rescue Throw Bags  (60' and 70') - 18 within the district, 8 go with mutual aid calls
  • Rescue Helmets - 18 within the district, 10 go with mutual aid callsBinoculars
  • Body Recovery bag and rescue cargo net
  • Standard EMS plastic Backboard
  • 14 Search and Rescue (SAR) Vests for Shore Support personnel