GREENFIELD — Scott Elliott, Battalion Chief with the Greenfield Fire Territory (GFT), picked up the lengthy pole and dipped the far end of it into the Greenfield-Central High School swimming pool.
There was a large, hook-type apparatus at the end of the pole that Elliott was able to maneuver around a firefighter who was floating in the pool. Elliott then pulled the firefighter, who was wearing a life vest, to safety at the side of the pool.
The Battalion Chief was demonstrating one of the many water rescue methods firefighters use to save people who are in water distress.
“Greenfield has numerous bodies of water many people don’t even know about,” Elliott said. “All the neighborhoods have retention ponds, creeks around here swell up and so does Riley Park, so it’s best we get our people trained.”
Firefighters with GFT have already been on two water rescue runs so far this year and the summer hasn’t even started. Officials note that all GFT fire trucks are equipped with water rescue gear, including life vests and throw bags.
That’s why Elliott was leading a group of 10 GFT firefighters through a water rescue certification class this week, which included the firefighters spending time in the water. The firefighters did things like show how they can tread water for 15 minutes nonstop, and learn how to toss and land throw bags designed to help a person in distress stay afloat. The firefighters also had to prove they could do a 500- and then 800-yard snorkel swim.
“What we’re doing here this week is a service ops and tech class,” Elliott said.
While all GFT firefighters go through basic water rescue as part of their training, the men who were taking part in Elliott’s class are going beyond that training, picking up more specialized certified skills. They are also the firefighters who have an option to move onto a river rescue training school in South Bend.
“This is kind of a prerequisite to that training,” Elliott said. “This type of training we’re doing now is considered ‘go’ rescuing whether you’re jumping in on your own to go and get someone or your crew is getting into the boat to ‘go’ and rescue.”
The more firefighters who want to advance their skills and take extra training, the better it is for county residents, Elliott said.
Greenfield Fire Territory Chief Jason Horning said this type of training wasn’t available when he first got into the fire service, but he’s glad to see it is available now and his firefighters are up for it.
“I’m thankful that we have such a great group of guys willing to get this extra training to be able to provide the service to the citizens,” Horning said. “The fire department is no longer just about fire and it hasn’t been for quite some time.”
While Horning said some might doubt the need for a water rescue team, the fact they’ve had to put the water rescue skills to use a couple of times already this year proves the training is needed.
“Instead of having firefighters respond to those types of incidents because we are the ones who do respond when someone calls 911 and not be properly trained, now we have guys trained with the proper equipment to help,” Horning said. “Being properly trained that keeps our guys safe and it makes things safer for the victim.”
There are five words firefighters use when it comes to water rescue — yell, reach, throw, row and go.
“Of course sometimes you immediately jump to the last one, ‘go’ but it’s important to know which one a firefighter needs to do,” Horning said. “Training teaches that.”
Firefighter Jared Isaac was dripping wet from head to toe after treading water in the pool for several minutes. He stepped forward for the more extensive training because he saw a need in the department for firefighters to have it.
“I wanted to fill that need and I think it will open more opportunities to do work in the future for if we have swift water or flooding calls,” Isaac said.
Isaac noted he’s looking forward to the next step of certified water training at the river rescue training facility in South Bend despite how tough and dangerous it can be.
“If you don’t do anything, you won’t get anywhere,” Isaac said.
Elliott, who started his firefighting career 17 years ago, said he loves seeing guys like Isaac getting the opportunity earlier in their careers to learn multiple skills beyond fire training. Elliott said he never imagined he’d get to learn water rescue skills let along be qualified to train others.
“It’s one of my favorite things,” Elliott said. “It’s all about training our people to the best of their abilities.”
Elliott manages not only the GFT water rescue team, but also the county water rescue squad which is part of the Technical Rescue partnership between GFT and officials with Sugar Creek Township Fire Department.
“Like Chief Horning likes to say, we are an ‘all hazard’ fire department,” Elliott said.
