WATER RESCUE UNIT & DIVE TEAM

In Westchester County there are numerous waterways spanning from pool-sized ponds to the Hudson River and the Yorktown Heights Water Rescue Unit are capable of performing water rescues in all of them.

  The unit consists of 13 members certified and experienced in all aspects of water rescue.  Our experiences, training and certifications cover basic surface rescues, boat based rescues, floodwater evacuation and rescue, swift water rescue, cold water and ice rescue, and all aspects of dive rescue and recovery.  The unit’s 13 divers have performed salvage dives, removing vehicles from waterways or clearing underwater debris from swim areas.  Their diving has taken them to temperature extremes from 100 degree summer days to 7 degree winter days (water temperature was 29 degrees).  Their diving has taken them to elevated altitudes.  They have surveyed waterways providing the requesting parties with a topographical map of the waterway surveyed.  The dive team has also been involved in countless drowning victim recoveries.

  The Water Rescue Unit has been in full force over the past 4 months making over 15 training dives and participating in multiple other water rescue training exercises.  The summer has leaded the unit into many local bodies of water.  The summer’s dive training has consisted of everything from practicing basic skills to conducting actual searches for our team lacrosse balls “Kirby” and “Kirby Jr.”  The unit dives in all types of water from black water to clear blue quarry water, calm stagnant water to current diving.  The unit trains night and day.

    The unit’s dedication and determination recently lead to 5 members becoming certified as Swift Water Rescue Specialists when they expanded their knowledge and ability in a Swift Water Rescue course. The 3-day intensive course required the successful completion of several in water tests including swimming across and through class III & IV rapids (Class VI being the hardest) without losing ground downstream.   The class participants had to negotiate a swift water rescue board into and down the rapids while pulling into holes, eddy and/or hydraulics to perform a rescues or search for victims.  The course participants were further taught and certified in technical aspects of swift water rescue such as high line systems, boat rigging, boat operations on rapids, low head dam dynamics, river scene evaluation, and operational planning.  Our unit members spent more than 18 hours in the 60-degree water and at the end of the day 3 course 3 of our members, were identified as the strongest swimmers in the class.  The members of our unit further received praise from both the instructor and the deputy chief of the hosting department in regards to the unit’s constant professionalism, team work, enthusiasm, drive, and overall attitude of “lets get it done!”

  The Yorktown Heights Water Rescue Unit constantly strives to better themselves in all they do.  The unit members are handpicked for their drive, dedication and dive skills.  They are then groomed through the unit’s rigorous training program and advanced certification processes.

    The unit is aided in all they do through the assistance of state of the art equipment they maintain, such as, full-face Aga masks with OTS communications, DUI and Viking Dry Suits, Zodiac Fire brigade inflatable boat, and an underwater camera system is just a fraction of their arsenal.

  The Yorktown Heights Fire Department Water Rescue Unit is available for a response any where their skills and training are required.  In recent months the department has responded mutual aid to as far away as Mamaroneck for assistance during the spring flooding.  The unit is often called upon to other jurisdictions for their expertise.  Additionally, closer to home, the YHFD Water Rescue Unit’s own response district is roughly 35% water.

   The unit’s future consists of further structured training through Dive Rescue International and a rigorous in house training schedule.  The unit will further maintain their physical fitness through pool sessions during the winter where they will train and meet the physical fitness requirements to maintain their spot in the unit.  The unit is consistently seeking opportunities to test their knowledge and ability.  The unit hopes to attain SEMO or FEMA recognition to qualify for dispatch to state or federal disaster sites involving water.