Five decades of patrolling the Welland River
Mark Hamilton and Steven Frick were among the first to respond to the call after a teen experienced difficulty while swimming in the Welland River adjacent to a campground on Stanley Avenue.
The two members of the St. John Ambulance Water Patrol Unit arrived on the scene minutes after receiving the distress call Friday, but it was too late.
An 18-year-old Niagara Falls resident had drowned in the popular yet turbulent water.
The Welland River — often referred to as Chippawa Creek — is an unpredictable waterway with a strong current and water levels that rise and fall quickly.
“The water in this river changes by the minute,” said Justin Canestraro, a local firefighter and board member with the Niagara Falls branch of St. John Ambulance.
“The water can start to move very fast, out of nowhere. A lot of people think they can simply swim across it, but they don’t realize how fast it’s moving until they get out there.”
St. John Ambulance has operated a water patrol unit on the river from the Stanley Avenue bridge to the mouth of Niagara River for almost five decades.
From June until Labour Day, the crew navigates the river aboard a 22-foot-long Zodiac inflatable rescue boat equipped with the latest safety equipment.
The members respond to any water-related incidents and also educate people on how to safely enjoy the popular spot. The Lifesaving Society designates the third week in July as National Drowning Prevention to focus community attention on drowning prevention. To stay safe on the water this summer, the Lifesaving Society and St. John Ambulance offers the following tips: •Always supervise children. If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far. •Boat sober. Alcohol consumption is a factor in almost 40 per cent of “On a nice day, we can have up boating-related fatalities. •Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device. Not wearing a life jacket or PFD was a factor in 88 per cent of boating deaths. •Learn first aid and CPR. •Know your physical limits and be aware of fatigue, medical conditions and hydration levels before getting into the water •Always keep an eye out for hazard signs such as warnings of sudden drop-offs and strong currents. to 120 boats out here,” said Frick, a 20-year-old St. Catharines resident and student at Niagara College.
Crew members are Niagara-area university or college students and they train in conjunction with Chippawa firefighters.
Each has medical first responder training and lifeguard certification, said Beth Paul, manager of the Niagara Falls branch of St. John Ambulance.
For Hamilton and Frick, this is their second year with the patrol.
“My aunt did this when she was my age,” said Hamilton, a Niagara Falls native and student at Oxford College in Scarborough.
“I loved it last year,” the 21-yearold said. “It’s such a great job.
In May, crew members visit local elementary schools for presentations on basic first aid and water safety for both the beach and the pool. They also offer the presentation to kids at summer day camps and other youth groups.
This year, the group shared their safety message with approximately 5,000 students from more than 20 schools in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines.