Responding to water incidents safely and effectively is a critical responsibility for fire service members. Interoperability between agencies, clear communication, and a consistent understanding of operational limitations are essential to successful outcomes—especially in low-frequency, but high-risk water rescue environments.
This lesson will help fire service members identify hazards associated with moving and standing water, recognize the scope and limitations of First Responder Operations (FRO)-level personnel, understand the purpose and deployment of shore-based rescue techniques, develop familiarity with local response zones and anchor points, and strengthen coordination with mutual aid partners during swiftwater and flood incidents.