Local Fire Departments go to sea to save lives

Several members of local volunteer fire departments spent a morning at Avonport beach, Sunday, July 13. They didn't gather there to soak up the sun, however; they were there to stage a mock rescue at sea as part of a training exercise with the Canadian Coast Guard.

Search and rescue operations at sea are daunting tasks that require high levels of communication and skill. And coordinating agency response effectively may mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation on water.

Personnel from Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) joined the Hantsport, Windsor, Summerville, New Minas and Canning firefighters at the beach that morning to learn how to be best prepared.

The exercise tested communications and search patterns and served as a venue to share information with other agencies about resources in the area, said Hantsport Fire Chief Paul Maynard. It also provided fire departments and other responders an opportunity to work with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Local Coast Guard member Richard Smith said that, although JRCC in Halifax are the first to get the call in any emergency marine situation, it is the local fire departments that are the first on the scene. “They are the nearest and closest resources for a quick response,” he said.

This was the first opportunity for local departments to execute a realistic scenario with the Coast Guard and JRCC in the waters of the Minas Basin. “It was a great opportunity to work together and utilize search and rescue techniques.” Smith said. “They have some excellent capabilities here with the water resources they now have available.”

Search and recovery

The exercise involved a search and recovery of individuals who were reported overdue from a pleasure trip on the Minas Basin. Ground and water searchers combed the Avon River area beaches and shorelines, reporting their findings to the operational centre. Members of the Canadian Coast Guard who served as the lost boaters were successfully located, recovered and transported to waiting paramedics.

“It's pretty tricky water to work in,” Smith noted. “You really need to use caution.”

The operations centre was established in the new Hantsport REMO facilities at the town office. Smith said that centre was an ideal location to run the logistics and communications component of the operation. “It's just a terrific place to work out of and very, very beneficial for responders.”

From that site, the local fire chief can work with the JRCC to dispatch boats and helicopters for assistance if needed.

REMO coordinator Albert Bahri said what that centre acts as a command post and gives the response coordinator a controlled environment to work out of and the capabilities to communicate with all emergency groups. “It works better than trying to radio from the hood of a truck,” he said.

It's a big undertaking to arrange an exercise such as the one held that day, but worthwhile for emergency responders, especially in that area. Maynard said that, last year alone, area fire department water rescue teams responded to eight calls for assistance in the Avon River and Minas Basin.

“It is quite amazing how many inlets and rivers flow into this part of the Avon River and Minas Basin,” he said. “Until you start training and identifying these areas by boat, you do not realize how large of a body of water we are dealing with, and the dangerous conditions inexperienced boaters can find themselves dealing with if they are unprepared.”

Tricky waters

Smith noted that, even during the exercise, the waters there were tricky to work in and that anyone needs to use extreme caution in uncharted waters. “I don't think people realize just how fast the tides move in and out. It's very easy to get caught.”

Maynard noted that Minas Basin and Avon River have become increasingly popular areas for sailing, fishing and other recreational use. “Each year we are seeing more and more members of the public use this body of water and find themselves in trouble because of the high tides and changing water and weather patterns.”

The chief said, “we ask people to keep a watchful eye on weather systems and tide times before and during their trips, as well as going prepared in case of an emergency.”

Fortunately, with the addition of improved water rescue equipment and zodiac boats, local departments are able to provide an enhanced service. Fire services in the area have also recognized the need to establish a number of watercraft and resources to assist individuals when they find themselves in trouble on the water, Maynard said.

In fact, that week, Fundy Gypsum created a launch area at their Hantsport site so that the rescue boat in Hantsport could be deployed quickly.

“We have received so much support from local industries such as Minas Basin Pulp and Power and Fundy Gypsum,” Maynard said. “That saves our team a tremendous amount of time in an emergency.” And it’s at a time when every moment counts.