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The PCFD Water
Rescue Team provides more services than most teams in the
region. Lake Peachtree, Lake Kedron and Lake McIntosh (currently
planned) all lie within the Peachtree City limits. We conduct
underwater searches for drowning victims and rescue of near
drowning patients. We rescue and evacuate flood victims and
conduct river rescues. In addition, we provide coverage for
special water events such as the 4th of July lake
festivities, Triathlons and Swimming Championships on
Lake Peachtree.
We also work closely with the Police and Sheriff’s Departments
to recover evidence and property. We provide these services to
other jurisdictions that don’t have Water teams as well as
assisting existing teams. In addition, we conduct equipment
demonstrations for events and groups to encourage water safety.
To request an Equipment Demonstration for your agency or group,
please contact the Director at the e-mail link above or phone
(770) 402-0325.
The PCFD Water
Rescue Team consists of three divisions: Boat, Swift Water
Rescue, and Dive.
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The Boat Team consists of 1 Division Supervisor and
6
Boat Operators. Boat operators must complete a Georgia Boaters
Safety Course and be a LVD driver with our department within 3
months of acceptance. Boat operators are responsible for “T.R.A.D.E.S.”
(Transport, Repositioning, Accountability, Deploy, Extract,
Supplies) of our other two divisions. The Watercraft currently
in use by our team are a Grumman flat hull, a Zodiac inflatable,
and a Yamaha Waverunner with an Extractor three man Sled. The
boat team will be certified in Swift Water Rescue Boat
Operations level during the spring of 2007.
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The Swift Water Rescue Division is our newest addition
to the team. This division consists of 1 Division Supervisor,
and 3 Unit Leaders with a total of 17 Swift Water Rescue
Technicians. This division is proficient in wilderness first aid
and land navigation as well as water rescue. We have plans to
certify all PCFD personnel to Swift Water Rescue Awareness level
in the next year.
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The Dive Team consists of 16 members that are trained
in Rescue Diving, of which 4 are qualified Dive Masters and 2
Instructors. We have capabilities of full facemasks and choice
of wetsuit and drysuit depending on water conditions and level
of contamination. Many of our divers have distinctive specialty
ratings.
We have an established policy with
Rescue Air 1
helicopter for diver or patient transport and hyperbaric
chambers with specialized Doctor consults available 24 hours a
day.
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