On May 16 more than 50 swiftwater rescue technician firefighters from MABAS Divisions 1 and 3 (our mutual aid partners from the north and northwest suburbs) practiced a variety of techniques in the rain-swollen Des Plaines river. An annual event, the recent rains added an element of challenge. Swiftwater is any water moving faster than one mile per hour. This day river water was moving more than three miles an hour, faster that a leisurely walk. “That may not seem hazardous but when a wall of water at that speed presses against your body even healthy adults in good physical condition may be challenged to survive these waters” said Battalion Chief Mark Oeltgen. Although rare and infrequent, swiftwater incidents require specially trained members to be successful. Swiftwater rescue technician firefighters receive more than 50 hours of specialized training which is in addition to the more than 1000 hours of paramedic training and 400 hours of entry-level firefighter training. Skills practiced this year included swing against and with the current, boat operations, removing victims from the river into boats, and the rigging of ropes across the river.
Water rescue team member vehicles from area fire departments staged and ready to participate
PHFD Battalion Chief Mark Oeltgen briefs participants on the day's activities and safety considerations.
Boat will practice various maneuvers in the rain-swollen Des Plaines River
