First responders learn water rescue techniques Over the past few days (Tuesday, 07/05; Thursday, 07/07; and Saturday, 07/09), twenty (20) members of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company enrolled and completed a 12 hour Water Rescue 1 Course taught via the Delaware State Fire School. This course incorporated topics that addressed familiarization with objectives of the water rescue tasks which includes the removal of victims or persons from any body of water other than a swimming pool within our local area of emergency response and is not limited to: lakes, rivers, creeks, basins, storm drains, retention ponds and washes whether still or moving. Other instructional topics included: (1) Safety concerns of the rescue personnel; (2) Developing operational sectors and rescue plans; (3) Gathering as much information from witnesses and bystanders as possible; (4) Methods of rescue (Reach, Throw, Row and Go); (5) Communications with victims and rescuers (visual, audible, hand signals, etc.); (6) Situational awareness; (7) Awareness preparation; (8) Resource assignment and equipment familiarization; and many other topics. The members were assigned simulated rescue incidents and were divided into teams of five, each with a multitude of equipment and resources to accomplish the rescue assignment. In one instance the rescue was holding a throw bag of rope and held the other end of the rope with one hand, then threw the bag toward the victim; the rope deployed and the victim tried to reach for the bag so they could be towed to safety. A second rescuer stood by with a second bag of rope in case the first bag missed. Other rescue devices were also utilized as floatation devices. Each member took turns being the victim so they know what to do if they were in the water. These training courses are not just for helping victims, but show how to help each other in times of need and emergencies. Firefighters have lost their lives trying to save someone in the water related incidents - i.e., going in to the water in full gear, which is heavy and once wet pulled them under, or not knowing the correct way to float defensively and getting them trapped or injured by rocks and other objects. These course attempts to teach the safest ways to help each other and places emphasis on first responder safety. The classroom portion of the Water Rescue 1 was held at the Main Station in Oak Orchard. The hands-on and water portion of the course was held at Pot Nets Seaside beach in Long Neck, Delaware. The Delaware State Fire School Instructors were John Watson and Wally Evans.