Courtesy Photo
Firefighters from five departments meet to undergo water rescue training in preparation for the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Airshow June 28.

Courtesy Photo
Firefighters practice recovering victims in water, bringing each to shore for EMS treatment.

GUN BARREL CITY–The Gun Barrel City Fire Department hosted water rescue training June 28 that included over fifty firefighters from eight lake area Fire Departments: Gun Barrel City, Kemp, Mabank, Seven Points, Tool, Trinidad, Long Cove and Payne Springs Fire Rescue. UT Health EMS had an ambulance and supervisor that also participated in the training. The exercise utilized five rescue boats and Mabank and Kemp dive teams.
The departments practiced rescuing victims of a simulated boating accident. Patients on the surface of the water were removed and placed aboard a rescue boat to be transported to shore to be treated by UT Health EMS. After the victims were recovered, the dive teams searched underwater for additional victims. 
Gun Barrel City Fire Chief Joseph Lindaman commented, “I am very pleased with how well the joint water rescue training went today. The exercise simulated a complex boating accident in which multiple agencies were needed to rescue and recover victims.”  
The joint water rescue training was scheduled a few days before the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Airshow. The Fire Departments that participated in the exercise today were stationed strategically around the area where the aircraft performed their maneuvers to minimize response time if needed.
“We planned the training exercise just prior to the air show to make sure in the event of an incident, the Fire Departments will respond quickly and rescue victims in the water,” Payne Springs Fire Rescue Chief Adam Robinson added. “I want to say thanks for all of the departments that participated in the training and also thanks to all who are helping with the airshow this year.”