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Northwest Fire demonstrates training with swiftwater rescue boat

Posted at 6:07 PM, Aug 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-16 21:07:14-04

Northwest Fire demonstrated a live training with a refurbished swiftwater rescue boat.

Northwest Fire says this boat has drone like technology.

There are many ways this boat can be used in rescues.

It can deliver safety gear like a lifejacket before crew even arrive or pull someone back on to land using a safety lanyard.

Northwest Fire Captain Jeff Hamblen says "Using that drone technology it allows us to quickly get safety gear to a stranded motorist or someone stuck in a swiftwater and that can be the difference between life or death for them."

Northwest Fire says the boat hasn't been deployed for any rescues this year.

They do have a message when it comes to safety.

Northwest Fire community manager Crystal Kasnoff says "We are not out of monsoon season. So that means that at any time when you see rain that looks like it is raining up on the mountains that could be coming down the wash. If there is any trickle of water in the wash . Avoid going in that. The old saying turn around don't drown is very important."

Northwest Fire has had this boat since 2012, but it recently got update with the new technology.