Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer

Gun Barrel City Fire Chief Joseph Lindaman (from left) Mayor David Skains, Mayor Pro-Tem Gary Lerew, Council Member Richard Yaws, City Manager Jeff Arnswald and Gun Barrel City Police Department Captain Keith Stephens stand proudly beside the city’s new rescue boat. 

GUN BARREL CITY–After discussing the idea of their own rescue boat for several years, Gun Barrel City is happy to unveil its newest addition, a rescue boat. Mayor David Skains and Fire Chief Joseph Lindaman said discussion about a rescue boat began when three fishermen took out a flat bottom boat a few years ago in dicey weather. Their boat capsized from the rough waters on Cedar Creek Lake and they needed help. “We almost went in the water with them,” recalls Lindaman. “Water rescues need a specific type of boat,” Lindaman and Skains explained that a pontoon boat isn’t cut out for it. 
The city has in the past asked for boat assistance from firefighters who have their own boats. Skains said that he didn’t like having to ask and worried about their personal boat becoming damaged during the rescue. Now firefighters can easily perform water rescues with a boat designed for such an instance. The specialized boat was purchased in Houston and delivered to the city by the dealer. Coming in at a cost of just over $120,000 it features lights, two motors, a side access door and can maneuver easily in shallow waters. Lindaman says even if one motor goes down, the boat will still run. Several lakeshore developers have spoken about housing the boat near the water so that it is close for immediate access in case of an emergency, which will also save time during a response situation. 
The fire department says they have plans to meet with the county and learn about some procedures and methods they use on their boat during water rescues. There are also plans to have more police presence on the water, especially during holidays when traffic is higher says Lindaman. Training will include taking the boat out in rough waters, high winds or other conditions to make sure the department is fully trained and comfortable using the boat. 
Skains clarified that the rescue boat is to rescue people in an emergency, not for towing boaters who’ve run out of gas back to shore as some social media rumors seem to speculate. Lindaman says that the department also has interlocal agreements with the county and other cities around the lake which will enable them to assist in water rescues not just in Gun Barrel City. 
You can look for the boat to be on the water as the fire department becomes acquainted with it over the next coming weeks. “I hope they never have to use the boat but if it saves just one life, it’s paid for itself,” stated Skains.