Watch Hill Firefighters Participate in Joint Training with US Coast Guard

Watch Hill firefighters were among the first to complete a new training course designed to acquaint the local fire departments with Coast Guard procedures to ensure smooth joint operations during emergency situations on coastal waters in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Two firefighters from the Watch Hill Fire Dpartment, Patrick Majeika and Dennis Mello, completed the U.S. Coast Guard Boat Search and Rescue Course held at the Coast Guard station in New London. They will now be responsible for training fellow Watch Hill firefighters in the new skills and techniques.

The program was developed to assist in improving joint operations with local agencies that would be called on during a coastal emergency. Topics included risk management assessments, search patterns, water rescue techniques, wind and tide drift estimations and boat salvage operations.

To read the full article from The Westerly Sun, use the attached link.

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/latestnews/7408702-129/coast-guard-boat-and-rescue-training-aids-local-firefighters.html