Dracut Fire Department Members Participate in Water Rescue Training

DRACUT — Chief Michael Cunha is pleased to report that eight Dracut Firefighters took part in specialized training to conduct water rescues in swiftly moving and static water this week.

The eight Dracut Special Operations Swift-Water Team members participated in training this week in both Beaver Brook and Lake Mascuppic.

Training for making water rescues in swiftly moving, dynamic water was conducted in Beaver Brook at the Army Specialist Mathew G. Boule Memorial Park on Monday morning. Training for making water rescues in static water was conducted at the town beach on Lake Mascuppic later on Monday. The training also prepared firefighters to rescue both passive and aggressive patients, and to conduct searches for victims from shore.

The training was led by Firefighter Chris Gagne, a 10-year veteran of the Dracut Fire Department, who has been a certified swift-water rescue instructor for three years.

Firefighter Gagne conducted the training for seven other members of the Dracut Special Operations Swift-Water Team, which includes Firefighter Derek Santos, Firefighter Ryan Descheneaux, Lt. John Carroca, Firefighter Tom Joyce, Firefighter Gage Brouillette, Firefighter Ryan Charrette and Firefighter Mike Silva.

All firefighters except Charette and Silva have been trained to the technician level, while Firefighters Charette and Silva are trained to the operations level.

The Dracut Special Operations Swift-Water Team trains repeatedly throughout the year to keep skills sharp and is already planning additional training this summer using the department’s two rescue boats.

“At the Dracut Fire Department, we train today to be ready for anything tomorrow. With this training, the Town and Department now have enough personnel properly trained to effectively conduct a rescue in either a swift-water or a static water environment,” said Chief Cunha. “We have several large bodies of water in town, including the Merrimack River, Beaver Brook, and Lake Mascuppic, and we are ready for any major water hazard emergency.”