About the team....

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.

In 2012 LCFC was awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grant for approximately $124,000 that was used to purchase a 2012 Sealegs Amphibious Rescue Craft. This craft would expand the teams limits while advancing safety measures for the team.

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   Specialty Equipment:  ResQMax Line Throwing Device Night Vision Googles Rope Rescue Sling Shot Stokes Basket Floatation System The team has been trained, qualified and has conducted the following types of water rescue emergencies:  Lake Search and Rescue (Open Water) Swift Water Rescue Ice Rescue Flood Evacuation / Rescue Partially Submerged Vehicle Rescue Technical Water Rescue Deployment and Pre-Deployments Activations: Oct. 2012 Hurricane Sandy Pre-Deployment Sept. 2011 Bloomsburg, PA Tropical Storm Lee Flooding Aug. 2011  Pre-Deployment for Hurricane Irene