Swift water rescues made easier for Milwaukee Dive Team



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Fire Department's Dive Team broke in some new gear over the holiday weekend, with a boat designed for swift water rescues. The high and fast water on the Milwaukee River made for excellent training grounds.

Officials say the dangerous conditions on the river are exactly what people should be staying away from.

"We handle everything that has to do with water. Today, specifically, we are training with swift water," said Christopher Schutte with the Dive Rescue Team.

Sunday, April 20th, was the second day of training for the crew. The new equipment, called RDC or Radio Deployment Craft, is better suited for this type of water rescue.

"The technology has advanced and it advances pretty quickly. We did our research and we did our homework. We found a company, we talked to them extensively. We were really impressed about what this craft can do," said lead instructor Cameron Borchert.

The RDC allows water to pass through either end without swamping it. Ropes and pullies on both sides control where the raft goes.

"So when we come up to a victim in the water we are typically going to be above or up stream of them, so we are going to come down to them, reach through that hole and grab them out of whatever they are stuck on," explained Borchert.

"With this process we have the access to get the boat out to the middle, stop it there, send it down stream, pick somebody up, and then bring them back up, bring them back to shore," said Timothy Leszczynski with Heavy Urban Rescue Team.

Rescue crews say the RDC will give them as much control as possible when fighting against and uncontrollable current.