01-06-2025
Firefighters and EMS from different counties gather for boat safety training in Arkansas
DEGRAY LAKE, Ark. – One of the largest inland fireboat training schools in the United States made its way back to Arkansas, and this year leaders are taking water safety to a new level.
The Natural State's lakes and rivers are something that people enjoy, but it can be dangerous with over 30 accidents reported in the last 42 years according to American Whitewater.
Bill Barnes, Co Chairman of Arkansas Fireboat School says their program is focused on lowering those numbers.
'We have thousands of boats that are trailered into this state every year, our guests our visitors that are on the lake, so were set up to respond to all those emergencies,' Barnes said.
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Firefighters and EMS crews trained to operate boats from different counties, and some from Texas and Missouri were all presented with 15 different water emergency scenarios.
Water stream pump operations learning from simulated boat fires including how to save possible victims.
Ron Crane, Arkansas Fire Boat School communications leader, took KARK 4 News on a boat to show how two scenarios would go.
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One scenario emergency crew practiced putting out a possible fire on a burning boat. After Crane showed us another scenario.
'We have a medical scenario of flood victims that have been injured as a result of flood,' Crane said.
Whether it's a lake, river or flooded area, all volunteers know how to respond and are now more prepared to save those that fall victim to the dangers of the water.
'They give up their time they do it all for free to save and serve the people of Arkansas,' Barnes said.
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