Norfolk fire trains for swift water rescues

NORFOLK - It’s a scene that has become all too common in Northeast Nebraska: fire and rescue officials pulling endangered people out of the river.

The Rivers in Northeast Nebraska may not look overly daunting, but they do pose a threat. Luckily, the above video is just a training exercise by the Fire and Rescue team in Norfolk, where learning how to manage a swift water rescue has become vital.

Norfolk Firemedic Lance Conroy explained, "Most people think about the Rocky Mountains and white water rafting, but swift water is really any water moving over about 1.5 mph. The Elkhorn River is pretty tame at times, but it can become very dangerous when the water is up."

Norfolk Fire and Rescue tells us they have already pulled at least eight people out of the Elkhorn River this year, and they made several rescues in the high waters a year ago. Team members feel they owe it to the community to be prepared for all dangerous water situations, so firemedics Ross McKenzie and Lance Conroy traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado, to get the latest tips and tricks.

McKenzie told us, "It was a five day course where we learned all their tactics and operations. Now we are certified to bring it back to Norfolk and surrounding areas."

Conroy and McKenzie brought back the strategies they learned, and held a three day course for first responders in Northeast Nebraska. Day one was in the classroom, day two entailed practicing throw ropes, high ropes, and other tactics, and day three was spent responding to a mock rescue situation. The team says they are ready to execute a rescue if needed, but they would rather people use preventative measures so situations don’t reach that point.

"We continue to preach the fact that if they are out on the water enjoying things, wear life jackets. Be safe so that we are not dispatched.. but if we are, we are prepared and ready to go out and take care of them," says Assistant Chief Tim Wragge.