Tulsa firefighters train for water rescues

The Tulsa Fire Department is training for rescue operations just a week after rescuing two men from the Arkansas River.

Because of recent rain and threats of flash flooding, TFD rescuers are going through the annual training on boat operations and water rescue earlier than usual. Training is crucial, as water rescues are far more dangerous than say a rescue from a house fire.

“They won’t happen very often, but when they do we have to be prepared for them.” TFD Captain R.B. Ellis said.

Nationally, 30 percent of those who die in swift water emergencies are rescuers. That’s why this TFD training is made as realistic as possible.

“It’s pretty life-like; we try to put ourselves in situations that we’re going to see if we’ve got flooding in the area.” TFD’s Stan May said.

TFD tries to hold such water rescue training courses at least once a year.