The Fire Academy is offering a 32-hour course delivered through cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning domains. Water rescue at the operations level includes providing knowledge and skills when responding to surface water, cold water, and swift-water rescues. The training is designed for shore or boat-based rescuers, who may be performing rescues from those areas and/or be supporting technician-level rescuers.
Technician level knowledge and skills provide for advanced-level swiftwater rescues and is an intensive hands-on training program with students spending a significant amount of time mastering water rescue skills in fast moving water. There will also be several water rescue scenarios for students to complete as a team exercise. Students must be able to swim and will be tested on their ability.
The Swiftwater Rescue Technician content includes the following topics and meets the job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, Chapters 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3; covering topics such as: hazard assessment, rescuer safety, risk management, hypothermia & near drowning, dynamics of moving water, flooding, water search techniques, case studies, NFPA standards, self-rescue techniques, shore based rescue techniques, boat based rescue techniques, incident management, water rescue equipment , go rescues, rescue swimmer skills, night operations, high angle rope rescue, helicopter water rescue operations, and rope systems for swiftwater rescue.
Location: Hartford/Quechee
When: April 21 - 24, 2025
Time: 0800 - 1700 each day
Application deadline: Noon on Monday, April 7, 2025
Pre-Requisites: Pre-approved basic rope rescue class (signature of chief/designee confirms applicant has fulfilled prerequisite)
Students will need to bring a personal flotation device (PFD) level three or above and a water rescue helmet.
The class maximum is 20 and the minimum by the application deadline is 15.
Please click here for the application. Applications can be emailed to: dps.vfaapplications@vermont.gov.