For the first time, firefighters in Osceola County received instruction in surface water rescue techniques.
This training allows firefighters to provide critical, immediate assistance to victims in the water instead of waiting for the dive team to arrive.
"This will be able to get the firefighter in the water to perform a rescue," said training Lt. Walter Everson.
The firefighters learned how best to rescue a person or persons from a vehicle that has plunged into a body of water, or to find a missing person in water.
First, they had to pass a swim test, then the firefighters received instruction on the equipment and tossed a rescue rope to a victim in the water.
As pairs, they practiced the proper technique for rescuing victims from the water in various scenarios.
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