Puget Sound Fire and other local fire departments participated today.
Your Puget Sound Fire, along with other local fire departments, continues to prepare for all types of emergencies and today was out at Lake Meridian practicing water rescue drills.
Today’s drills included finding a submerged swimmer, how to rescue people from a submerged vehicle, and the shore logistics of any type of water rescue.
The drill used a small mannequin to simulate a child that needed rescuing in approximately 25 feet of water.
Firefighters have built a “car interior” prop that can be submerged for rescue practice.
An important part of any water rescue is the logistics which must take place on the shore. Interviewing witnesses and family, determining the location where the victim was last seen, and the coordination of emergency personnel and equipment are all critical functions that firefighters were practicing today.
Regional trainings like today are important because no fire department has enough resources to tackle a large rescue by itself. It takes the coordination of several fire departments to have a safe and successful outcome.
In addition to Puget Sound Fire, the following departments participated in the training:
- Renton Regional Fire Authority
- South King Fire and Rescue
- Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety
- Enumclaw Fire Department