Tonight, we spent another night training on the river below the Flat Rock Dam. Assistant Chief Michael Schwarz and Chief Andy Block were able to secure a Water Rescue Grant that enabled us to purchase a "personal" set of water rescue equipment for each "Water Rescue Certified" firefighter in our company. Tonight Assistant Chief Schwarz issued the bags containing the following to each member" Helmet, Class V PFD, Knife, Safety Strobe, Gloves, Boots, Whistle, Carabineer, and bag. All items were custom sized to fit each member appropriately to ensure the most safety for our members. After issuing the equipment, we traveled to the Flat Rock Dam to train below the dam in swift water. We were also joined by Brian McFarland and Joe Dissler who came down to train with us. Once we arrived at the dam we found that the river was very low which allowed us to get "up close and personal" to the dam itself. Members learned specific characteristics of the dam and how to "read" the dam and establish the danger areas. We had an excellent night of training where everybody learned from the experience. Thank You again to our guests Brian McFarland and Joe Dissler for coming out to train with us!
IMPORTANT POINT: At NO TIME should you ever swim, play, or enter the area directly above, on, or below any dam. We train in this area with and as professionals. It is very dangerous and many lives have been lost due to low head dams!
Units:
Air 24, Utility 24, Marine 24-1, Engine 24-1, Ladder 24
Kevin Gallagher modeling our new Class V PFD's
Chip, Tim and Brian Brown making their way to the dam
Kevin, Bart, Ken and Joe making their way to the dam
Gladwyne Firefighters making their way to the base of the Flat Rock Dam.
Brian McFarland (Chief 53) - One of our instructors that came out to train with us.
Sitting on the dam. The flow / level was so low that we are able to sit on the edge of the dam.
Ken Piree and Assistant Chief Remillard at the dam
