On October 17, an eastern NC firefighter who had previously received extensive swiftwater rescue training through the Raleigh-based Carolina Canoe Club (CCC) received a call-in page from his fire unit. He relays his story as:

“At 10 PM my fire pager rang:  Single vehicle accident, partly submerged, victim entrapped. The incident was about 10 miles from our house. By the time I arrived, the vehicle was stabilized by tying off to a tree. Two firemen were in the water initiating the rescue . I  donned my swiftwater rescue gear and rigged myself for a tethered rescue. We extricated the victim by removing the rest of the windshield and cutting off the roof. I was able to perform some of the cutting on tether on the downstream side of the vehicle. I made sure no one was in the water on the upstream side. We then started searching for a possible second victim. Still on tether, I began wading downstream, using my feet as my eyes, searching for a body. About this time it hit me.  All the CCC and Rescue training was certainly worthwhile. There was no 2nd victim, But we had definitely saved a man’s life.  Other members of the station set up a landing zone for the evacuation helicopter and the patient was air lifted to [hospital]. where he is now recovering.  Just wanted to share this with you.”

This anecdote is testimony for the need and value of sites and programs where appropriate water-based training benefits the community at-large. Swift water related emergencies, are not limited to mountainous areas and the need for training for these emergencies exists all across our state.