Rebuilding Alameda's Water Rescue Program, City Hall May Close on Fridays
City Hall, City Hall West and the administrative offices of the Alameda Recreation and Park Department, Library and Police Department will be closed to the public on Fridays if city council members approve a recommendation from city manager John Russo tonight.
The Alameda City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the third-floor council chambers at City Hall, following a closed session at 6 p.m.
Also on the agenda is an update on the Alameda Fire Department's water rescue program, which is being reactivated in the wake of the drowning off Crown Beach on Memorial Day. The fire department's response to that incident has drawn strong community criticism.
Water Rescue
The Fire Department's water rescue/fireboat program, begun formally in the late 1990s, lost operational status during the fiscal year 2008-2009, Russo says in the report to be presented to city council members tonight.
Both the fire boat and rescue boat were placed out of service, while rescue swimmers lagged behind the necessary certification requirements, Russo wrote.
"It would be an understatement to declare this deactivation an error ... The City must have an effective and resourceful method of responding to water-related incidents," Russo wrote. "Consequently, the Fire Department has taken and is taking concrete action to once again provide residents with water rescue service."
Since Memorial Day, 20 water rescue swimmers have been trained and certified, and the department plans to have an additional 16 certified in the next fiscal year, enough for 24-hour coverage by September 1, Russo reports.
"The Department recently finalized the purchase of a 14-foot inflatable boat with an outboard motor, trailer and equipment," Russo wrote. "This summer the Department will train boat operators in the handling of this vessel.
Once training is complete, the boat will be kept at Fire Station One, ready for rapid deployment to any point in the city within 15 minutes from initial response. "Currently, the Department uses a utility truck as a tow vehicle; future plans include the purchase of a dedicated vehicle outfitted with water rescue equipment ready at all times for response. This boat will be covered when not in use and requires little maintenance."
Friday Closures
City staff recommended the Friday closures at a budget study session on May 31. In a report, Russo says that staff reductions, including those adopted as part of the city's fiscal year 2011-2012 budget, mean fewer people are available to answer phones and staff public counters.
Water Rescue Equipment - News
"Currently, the Department uses a utility truck as a tow vehicle; future plans include the purchase of a dedicated vehicle outfitted with water rescue equipment ready at all times for response. This boat will be covered when not in use and requires
Teach children to never run, push or jump on others around water. Teach them never to swim alone. -- There should be a phone by the pool, along with rescue equipment such as a life preserver and a shepherd's hook, which is a long pole with a hook at
He jumped into the water and apparently had trouble with his gear and his weight system. Other divers came to assist him while he was in distress, and he lost consciousness. He could not be revived despite lifesaving efforts and was pronounced dead on
Eighteen fire rescue paramedics are trained in surface-water rescue, but “the ocean rescue is a whole different animal,” Bennett said. The two-week training period, conducted at the Freeda Zamba pool and at St. Johns County's Solomon Center,
The WERV is outfitted with all the equipment that the team may need, including ropes, dry suits, wet suits, ice/cold water rescue suits, waterborne stretchers , lift bags and emergency medical capabilities, said Braley. The team has also recovered,
atGeist.com » Homes of the Brave – IFD Station 28
Firefighters from three Geist area fire stations are among the first to respond to local emergency situations, as they routinely put their lives on the line to help make local residents safe. This is the third of a three-part series that will help you get to know them better.
When you see images of stranded motorists or residents being rescued from raging flood waters, take notice. The heroes with the boats, ropes and water rescue equipment who come to save the day just might be the firefighters next door.
Welcome to the world of Indianapolis Fire Department’s Station 28 , located in a quiet residential Geist neighborhood at 86th Street and Fall Creek Road. This red-bricked structure is home away from home for 15 highly trained firefighters, all known for their top water rescue expertise.
Armed with a single fire engine, two johnboats (flat-bottomed) and one Zodiac (inflatable) boat, these firefighters are well equipped to handle fire, emergency medical services (EMS), as well as serve as a dive team support unit.
“Our top water rescue efforts usually involve flooding, retention ponds or any other water related emergencies, which of course would include situations on Geist reservoir,” says Captain Scott Cushman, a 26-year veteran.
“But we find that the boaters and residents on Geist are pretty responsible,” Cushman says. “So we really don’t have too many emergency situations throughout the summer months on the reservoir itself.”
That’s not to say the station doesn’t stay busy. “I always tell people that being a firefighter is kind of like going to King’s Island,” says Engineer Scott Bixler, a 27-year veteran, referring to the nearby amusement park in Cincinnati. “You wait in line and get to know the people around you while biding your time, and then you finally get on the ride and it’s exciting, unnerving and a pure adrenaline rush, all at the same time. That’s what it’s like when you’re on duty.”
Spending time at the fire station with the same small group of people for 24 hours straight is a unique job requirement in itself. With a large brick fireplace in the front room and a comfortable, attractive office and den, some might even mistake the interior of the station for a residence.
“We are fortunate to have such a nice station and be situated in such a pleasant neighborhood,” says 23-year veteran Private Mark Calder. “We get the chance to interact with joggers, bikers and other residents on a daily basis. It is a great place to be.
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