Fire and EMS agencies from across the Central Wood Fire and Rescue Association, including departments from Plover and SAFER, gathered for intensive Swiftwater Rescue Operations training over the final weekend of May. The training, hosted by Pittsville Fire Company and led by instructors from Pioneer Rescue and Outfitters, was held at Lake Dexter and the Yellow River.
Sixteen firefighters participated in this National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670-compliant program, which combined classroom instruction with hands-on field training. While local waterways are typically calm, they can become hazardous and fast-moving during periods of heavy rainfall, particularly when storms affect upstream areas. These conditions create potential dangers for recreational users, stranded motorists, and others, necessitating specialized rescue capabilities.
Pittsville Fireโs involvement in swift water rescue traces back several years to a significant incident where canoeists were thrown into the Yellow River after hitting a bridge. That event catalyzed the development of a formal rescue team, with guidance from Dr. Charles McCauley. Today, the department remains committed to maintaining readiness for these high-risk, low-frequency incidents.
