Boone County
Water Rescue (BCWR), established in
1967 under the direction of the Boone County (KY) Civil Defense program, is a
group of 33 dedicated volunteers who work more than 12,000 hours annually in water
rescue activities. Currently a branch of the Boone County Emergency Management
Services, and administered on a
not-for-profit basis by the Boone County (KY) Fiscal Court, the team is
available 24/7 to all governmental agencies.
Since its
origin, the foundation of the team has been based on its diving abilities.
Countless hours are spent training new
divers and sharpening the skills of accomplished ones. In addition to the
general diver certification, each diver is trained under a public safety diver
program and as a search and rescue diver.
The team also
has ice rescue capabilities. With three certified dive and ice rescue
instructors, basic ice rescue classes are taught in the winter months to fire
departments, police departments, and other area rescue agencies.
Certified EMTs
were later added to give emergency pre-hospital care and provide medical and
trauma services on water and land. All
Boone County Water Rescue EMTs are Kentucky certified and are crucial in
maintaining a medically safe environment for divers during rescue, recovery or
training operations. During patrol, each boat has onboard an EMT who is trained
and equipped to administer emergency medical treatment. Many BCWR team EMTs are
affiliated with fire departments and squads throughout Boone (KY) and Kenton
(KY) counties.
The most visual
part of the team is its water rescue units. General purpose work and rescue
boats are used for lakes and rivers. These boats are easily transported and can
be disbursed throughout Northern Kentucky and beyond. But the pride of the water
rescue vessels are boats 218 and 219 (219 is
essentially a floating
ambulance, complete with a defibrillator).
These two boats are fully equipped with state-of the-art sonar, radar, and
communications, which dramatically increases the capability and efficiency of
these vessels for any type of water rescue or recovery.
Speed and
equipment are meaningless without qualified personnel. On board every boat is an
EMT, fire personnel and rescue divers. Boone County Water Rescue offers many
services to its surrounding geographic area and other states: water safety
programs, boat patrols, evidence collection, vehicle, bus, aircraft recovery and
victim recovery. No other governmental
body in the region provides such an array of services for boaters.
The team’s
capabilities include the use of the most sophisticated electronic equipment on
the market - side scan sonar (Marine Sonic Technology) and underwater cameras
(Fisher). The side scan sonar not only reduces the risk to divers but has made
recovery efforts faster. Systems include the ability to transmit (wirelessly) the
video image and side scan sonar imaging to other boats and land-based
operations. These systems have been instrumental in locating victims,
automobiles, barges, boats, weapons and just about anything under the water.
Of course,
after the object is found the mission turns to recovery. BCWR divers use Exo-26s
and SuperLite 17's (surface supply air) with full communication, and dive
cameras that also transmit to the command center, boats and dive supervisors for
review.
For more than
40 years the Boone County Water Rescue team is proud of their various
associations with neighboring counties, states and manufacturers. The
team is ready to respond to any water rescue
emergency effort – at any time, in any place. They are prepared, knowledgeable
and proud to serve their communities.
The primary goal
continues to be the recovery of drowning victims as quickly as possible to bring
closure to families suffering from the loss of a loved one. As communities grow
and water activities increase, more volunteers, training and equipment will be
needed. If you are interested in becoming a member of the crew, an EMT or a
diver for the team, your participation is welcome. Each person on the team makes
a difference and working together makes a difference in the
community.
“The Boone County Water Rescue team members
have been long time members of the IADRS and
have supported teams nationwide through the exchange of information and
resources. They are one of the most progressive water rescue teams in North
America and have been role models for many IADRS
members. Since 1967, they have been one of the pioneers of water rescue and have
developed, tested, and revised many of the techniques used by water rescue and
recovery teams today. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude….”
Blades Robinson, Executive Director
International Association of Dive Rescue
Specialists
201 North Link Lane
Fort Collins CO 80524-2712
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