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Water Rescue

Water rescue in the fire service refers to emergency operations involving people in or around water who are in danger and need to be saved. It's a specialized area of rescue that combines firefighting, technical rescue, and swift water or dive team operations, depending on the scenario. The Spanish Lake Fire Protection District has a 20 foot SeaArk boat with a 150 hp Mercury motor, an inflatable rescue boat (IRB) with a 30 hp Mercury motor, and an ice recsue sled. All of these apparatus prove vital to Spanish Lake due to the Missouri and Mississippi Confluance area as well as many other lakes, ponds, streams, and creeks in the area. All Spanish Lake fire fighter are required to take surface water rescue and swift water rescue technician classes to be certified in water rescues.

Three people in a red motorboat on a river, wearing life vests, under clear blue skies.
A red rescue boat labeled "Spanish Lake Fire District Marine Unit" on a river, piloted by a person.
Rescuers in yellow suits using a board to assist someone in icy water.
Six people in safety gear standing in front of a rescue boat and red truck.
Three people in rescue gear on a boat under a bridge.
Three people in a red motorboat on a river, wearing life vests, under clear blue skies.
A red rescue boat labeled "Spanish Lake Fire District Marine Unit" on a river, piloted by a person.
Rescuers in yellow suits using a board to assist someone in icy water.
Six people in safety gear standing in front of a rescue boat and red truck.
Three people in rescue gear on a boat under a bridge.