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The Prince George Fire Fighter's
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| With two major rivers running through the City of Prince George, and with numerous ponds, lakes and lagoons in the rural areas of the City, the potential for a rescue from water is high. Though the fire fighters have always responded to help locate and rescue victims in the past, fire fighters have recently been provided with specialized training to ensure that they are prepared for any type of water or ice rescue that might occur. |
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In 2000 the Swift Water Rescue Team was formed and recieved training in water rescue.
The initial training took place on the Bowron River just East of Prince George and provided members with the specialized rescue techniques for swift and flat water. |
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In 2001 the team added to their skills and recieved training in ice rescue, also provided by Rescue Canada, a not-for-profit professional organization that trains groups, such as fire fighters, who are in "life-at-risk" occupations. |
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Team members not only bring their fire fighting skills to the team but must also be strong swimmers with the ability to demonstrate competency levels equivalent to the Aquaquest level 10 Safety Program. |
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As with any service that the fire fighters provide there is specialized equipement required. The Team uses dry suits, personal boancy devices, special flaotation devices, ropes and anchoring systems when performing rescues.
The team presently consists of 12 fire fighters and will in the near future grow to 24 members. At this time the team members are fire fighters Leroy Manning, Kevin Scobie, Jim Gunn, Tim Melanson, Brad Crossan, Steve Feeney, Blake King, Kevin Woodhouse, Paul Petersen, Cody Thibault and Darren Hauck. |
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In 2001 the Swift Water/Ice Rescue Team trained on the Nechako River in Prince George in temperatures as low as -20 Celsius.
The River flows at an average speed of 8 km/h which makes rescues a challenge in any season. |
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