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March 14, 2005
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist
STATEWIDE RESPONDERS PARTICIPATE IN SWIFT WATER / FLOOD RESCUE CLASS
More than 20 firefighters from across Florida will participate in a swift water/flood rescue class March 15 - 19 in Volusia County. The course, sponsored by Volusia County Fire Services, will help responders learn to adapt to strong tidal flows that closely simulate floodwater rushing through a river or city streets.
Training will be held at the following locations:
- Tuesday, March 15, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Volusia County Fire Services Training Center, 3889 Tiger Bay Rd., Daytona Beach.
- Wednesday, March 16, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Florida Power and Light discharge canal in DeBary.
- Thursday, March 17 - Saturday, March 19, from noon - 4 p.m., near the jetty at Lighthouse Point Park, 5000 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet.
“As a result of the recent hurricanes, we saw the need for trained urban search and rescue responders,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kathy Weaver. “They need to be prepared for flood conditions and the inherent dangers they present.”
As part of the course, firefighters will use rope techniques to rescue simulated victims from rising and fast-moving water. Crews also must navigate hazardous debris.
According to Weaver, Volusia County has a technical rescue team that responds to man made or natural events when highly specialized rescue skills are needed. The team is trained in rope, confined space, structural collapse, swift water and wilderness search and rescue.
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Volusia County, Florida.