Faster rescues in floods
Swift-water craft to boost disaster response times
THE region’s swift-water rescue teams are now better prepared for flood disasters with the delivery of a new specialist craft that will increase response times and improve rescue efforts.
Seven years after floods tore through Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews are being trained on the cutting edge craft which is able to be deployed in under five minutes.
“Each region in the state has one (and) it gives our rescuers a capability that we never had before,” swiftwater rescue firefighter Mark Haddow said.
“The boats themselves are imported from overseas and the motor again from America - what they can do in a swift water or floodwater environment is something that has surprised all of us in terms of getting the craft into inaccessible areas (or) areas
we couldn’t get to before.”
“It was an outcome of the Flood Commission of Inquiry that something like this be looked at and the research that has gone into these vessels, the quality of these vessels, it’s second to none.”
Mr Haddow said the craft
were faster and could be used in floods, storm surges and could be deployed on international missions.
There were more than 25 swift-water rescues in the south-west region as a result of the 2011 floods – 17 in Toowoomba alone.
Mr Haddow said lessons were learned from the day and QFES rescue skills adapted for the benefit of the community.
“It took everyone by surprise that day but now we’ve got guys trained, better equipment, education
and a lot better understanding of that event,” he said.
Four firefighters have been trained to use the craft with another four set to undergo the specialist training in Far North Queensland later this year.