The Sundre fire department is preparing for an anticipated increase in area river and lake users by increasing its response capability.
Members trained for ice rescue this past weekend on the heels of a recent rapid deployment craft (RDC) purchase and addition of related equipment which altogether cost over $10,000.
“There's so much more kayaks and tubes, it's a definite must to have something like this,” said Dave Bennett, fire department member and vice-president of the Sundre Rescue Society.
On average, Bennett said the department gets a handful of calls for response on water bodies in a year, including a couple incidents where people became stranded on an island.
“That's due to increase as more residents and people come out,” he said.
The RDC, he said, enhances the department's previous water response capabilities - a zodiak boat bought for the department by Enerchem and Millard Trucking after a fire.
The zodiak boat will continue to be useful for situations that could include flooding, said Dave.
The RDC will be able to be deployed in and to places where access had previously been limited.
“It's greatly beneficial for this community for hazardous rivers and lakes,”
It is capable of manouvering in rapids up to class 4, and can traverse the weirs and boil points known to occurr in the Red Deer River.
From a folded up storage position, the RDC can be inflated in one minute from a firefighter's breathing bottle, Bennett said.
And whereas it took three people to carry the zodiak, one person can carry the RDC.
“It looks like a big yellow banana,” he said.
Rated for 2,000 pounds, the RDC is meant to accommodate two rescuers and a victim.
Outfitted with a snowmobile hitch, the RDC is versatile in various terrain, and will aid in reaching cabins and traversing backcountry trails etc.
“There's lots of places out there popping up that are hard to get to,” he said.
Training over the weekend included dry land experience with the ropes firefighters will use to maneouver themselves and those they are helping.
As well, members practiced ice rescues Sunday at a gravel pit southwest of town.
There are now more than 10 members trained in ice rescue.
Broadening the department's depth of trained members as well as equipment “should hopefully make our community feel safe,” he said.
