Over the weekend, 16 members from the Upper Gwynedd Fire Department (UGFD), along with two members from the Worcester Volunteer Fire Department, participated in a 16 hour water rescue training course, WRER (Water Rescue & Emergency Reponses).
Members were in a classroom setting Friday evening and finished up with a written exam Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, they continued training at an indoor pool to practice swimming techniques and rescue protocol. Their training was completed on Sunday in the Schuylkill River at the Flat Rock Dam in Lower Merion Township.
UGFD Deputy Chief, Greg Rosato, said that updated training and PPE would be required for all first responders after the impact Hurricane Isaias had on the township and surrounding area earlier in the year. UGFD has been working closely with WhiteCap Water Rescue Training, LLC to ensure the proper equipment is purchased and members are trained properly. Now that training has completed, these members are considered trained to the Operations Level per the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
UGFD will continue to work into 2021 to train all members to the Technical Level and work to secure the OFSC Grant to purchase more PPE and a Marine Unit.
See also:
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