Since the early 1980's the Lake City
Fire Company has been a water rescue resource for West County Pennsylvania. With
the Lake Erie and Elk Creek risks of a water rescue emergency, LCFC began and
continues to develop its water rescue program to meet the growing needs.
Throughout the last 25+ years LCFC has been utilized for responses such as
search
and rescues on Lake Erie, Swift water rescues in our own jurisdiction and
assisting to others such as Fairview FD, Springfield FD, and Cranesville FD,
Belle Valley FD,
Flood rescues throughout the county and more.
The Lake City Fire
Company's water rescue program received it's PA State Water Rescue I Certification
in 2006, with the dedicated efforts of Jeff Jobczynski and others. The team and
program continue to grow, from the addition of new training requirements to the
purchase of new equipment.
In October 2008 LCFC received it's
PA State Water Rescue II Certification. LCFC water rescue team continues the pride of being
the most well trained and equipped water rescue resource in the region.
In October 2010 the LCFC Water Rescue Team
received its PA Swiftwater Rescue/ Flood Evacuation Voluntary Rescue Service
Recognition from the PA State Fire Commissioner, PA Department of Health and the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. LCFC became one of three teams in the
state to achieve this accreditation.
This accreditation meets FEMA standards for deployable water rescue teams,
making the team a local, state and national asset that can be utilized in a
flooding disaster. To meet this accreditation there is a list of equipment and
training that must be met.
Equipment and
Capabilities
The
Water Rescue Team has about 12 members trained and personally equipped. Each team member has
the following assigned:
Dry Suit (Custom
Sized)
Swift
Water PFD
Water Rescue Work
Boots
Water Rescue
Gloves
Rescue Helmet w/Headlamp
Water Rescue
Response Bag
Eye Protection
Flashlight
Handheld Flares
Whistle
Rescue Knife
Accountability tag
The members must complete a
minimum of the following:
PA Water Rescue I
Ice Rescue Operations
PA Water Rescue II
PA Safe Boating Course
PA Water Rescue III
HazMat Technician
Ice Rescue Awareness
Minimum
CPR/AED and Basic First Aid (More than half of the members are EMT-B)
*All Approved
Coxswains and Crew undergo a skills
qualification training. and annual skills refresher/ proficiency Demonstration
The teams
equipment inventory to meet PA VRSR Swiftwater/Flood Evacuation:
Mobile and portable radios
Body Bags
Rigging Plates
Cellular and Satellite Phone
Racks
Forcible Entry Tool
BLS medical kit
Carabineers, locking D Steel
Fuel Cans
Floatation Spine Board
Chainsaw w/ kit
GPS. Handheld
Stokes Litter
Accountability ring
Sledge Hammer
Axe/Handsaw
Compass
Victim Helmets
Exposure Jackets
Line Thrower
Type III Victim PFD's
Knot Passing Pulleys
Megaphone
Night Vision Goggles
Reaching Pole
8mm Prusiks
Rescue Rated Pulleys
200' 1/2"min. Rope w/ Bag
300' 1/2"min. Rope w/ bag
600' 1/2"min Rope w/ bag
Search Dog Flotation Device
Hand Shovel
Swimmer Rescue Boards
50'-75' Rescue Throw Bags
Water Sampling Kit
1" Webbing 12@20' and
6@50'
Manual Air Pump
Non Powered 4 person Boat
Boat Repair Kit
Boat w 15HP minimum motor
Motor Flush Kit
Paddles 2 per boat
Fire Extinguishers 1 per boat
Boat oil and fuel supply
Sound device 1 per boat
Throwable Floatation Device
Aerial Flares
Ice Saws
Ice Staphs
Chemical light Sticks
The team has been trained,
qualified and has conducted the following types of water rescue
emergencies:
WATER RESCUE TEAM
