Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Water Rescue Team joined forces with several partner agencies for a special water rescue training last week on the Clackamas River near Riverside Park.

As part of the training exercise, crews from TVF&R, Clackamas Fire District 1, Lake Oswego Fire Department, and American Medical Response were tasked with responding to a scenario where a car with three occupants left the roadway and went into the river, critically injuring one person.

Two AMR employees served as mock victims during the simulation. A mannequin was used for the third victim.

During the mock rescue, crews utilized a carrier to lift the “critically injured” occupant out of the river. The teams also worked to safely bring the other two occupants to the other side of the river and assist them up a 40-foot vertical cliff.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue has a 15-person Water Rescue Team. On any given day, three to four water rescue technicians are on duty around the clock. These are firefighters cross trained in water rescue.

TVF&R’s Water Rescue Team is a member of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium, which includes Clackamas County Sherriff’s Office, Clackamas Fire District 1, Lake Oswego Fire Department, Gladstone Fire Department, Estacada Rural Fire District 69, Canby Fire District 62, Sandy Fire District 72, C-COM, and American Medical Response. The consortium works to increase safety and performance in the water environment. This group trains together for water rescue incidents three days per month and responds to 50 to 80 incidents per year.

Oregon is home to some of the most beautiful ocean beaches, rivers, and lakes anywhere. Learn more about possible risks and ways to prevent water-related injuries or deaths by clicking on the link below.