Water/Dive Rescue
In 1985, a group of firefighters sat down to discuss the necessity of a Water Rescue team in the area. After much discussion, a meeting was held and the Company voted to form a team. There was originally a list of 19 members that signed up, and Dive Instructors John Smith and Ed Hines were brought in to certify those members. Equipment was borrowed from the instructors until the Company was able to raise the funding to purchase equipment, and every Sunday morning was spent studying dive techniques and dive charts, followed by hours in the YMCA pool practicing what they studied. During the week, more training was conducted on First Aid, and finally in August of 1985, the training was complete with 14 certified Divers.
At first, divers operated out of a box style "bread truck" Rescue Truck, and started with 1 inflatable Achilles boat. Today, the team currently operates out of a 1993 KME Custom Rescue Truck (Rescue 588), and has 3 inflatable Achilles boats. During the summer months, our divers can often be found diving the Hudson River, Moreau Lake, and Lake George. During the winter months, ice diving drills are conducted on Moreau Lake and Lake George, and Hudson Falls Middle Schools pool serves as a training facility to train tenders on equipment and operations.
Our team has a large amount of training and experience amongst the members, ranging from NYS Swift Water Operations and Technician Level training to Basic and Advanced Open Water Diving, Rescue Diver, Dry Suit Diver, and Ice Diver Training. Members spend hundreds of hours training to gain certifications and keep them up to date, to serve our area as best as possible.
Dive Team Leaders
Dive Team Leader - Kyle Smith
Assistant Dive Team Leader - Chad Flint
Rescue Divers
- Reed Devitt
- Dan Fitzgibbon
- Chad Flint
- Greg Pratt
- Nicholas Quinn
- Don Ranck
- Greggory Ryan
- Kyle Smith
Media
Rescue Diver Reed Devitt works on his dry suit skills.
Rescue Divers Chad Flint and Greg Pratt take a break from practicing underwater communication skills for a photo.
Rescue Diver Nicholas Quinn works with an full-face Aga Mask, practicing communication skills with another
rescue diver and a member on the surface.
Rescue Diver Chad Flint practicing clearing a flooded mask.