Bulletin #: 08-75:
Water Rescue Operations Level/Swift Water Rescue - Technical
Level
Pre-requisite: Rescue Technician:
Basic or Rescue Operations
Registration: Pre-registration is
mandatory. Register through your chief or training officer. Chiefs
and training officers MUST register their personnel
by submitting a NYS registration form (attached to the bulletin) plus a $25.00
registration fee (check or money order) made payable to: Academy of Fire
Science.
The NYS Registration form, NYS
Training Authorization Letter (also attached to bulletin), proof of
pre-requisites, and registration fee must be submitted to Chief Peter Pitocco no
later than October 3rd.
All forms should be mailed
to:
Chief Peter Pitocco
Westchester
County Department of Emergency Services
4 Dana
Road
Valhalla, NY
10595
(914)
231-1689
Please read below prior to submitting registration
form:
NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Safety
Statement:
These courses are extremely physically demanding.
You will be swimming in cold moving water. You must be able to swim well
and have good endurance. Normal medical clearance for firefighting is an
appropriate gage of the needed level of fitness.
All participants are expected to complete all sessions of
the course. Due to the nature of the training, attendance is mandatory at
all sessions. Anyone who misses significant portions of
the course will not be allowed to continue in the course for safety
reasons.
The swift-water environment is inherently dangerous.
Risk to participants in this training cannot be totally controlled.
Instructors will do everything they can to provide a safe training.
However, your personal safety is first and foremost your
responsibility. You must pay attention and follow instructions
carefully.
Freelancing and horseplay will not be tolerated during the
training. Anyone who can not abide by these rules or acts in an unsafe
manor will be asked to leave the course.
Participant Equipment List:
Each participant
should have the following gear:
- PFD: Type 3 or
5 (should be designed for whitewater or swift-water rescue.
- Water Rescue
Helmet (do not use fire helmets - climbing helmets are
acceptable).
- Wet-suit or
Dry-suit (optional for Operations level course).
- Warm Clothing:
wool/poly fleece/polypro.
- Neoprene
booties or Neoprene socks and old sneakers.
- Neoprene
gloves.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Water.
- Lunch and
snacks.
OFPC has a
number of wetsuits, dry-suits, helmets, booties, and PFDs on the Swift-water
training trailer. If participants cannot provide the required PPE OFPC can
provide them if need be. Please consult with the course facilitator about
this. Please let us know if you will be using your own
equipment.
Download the form here