Watch Hill Firefighters participated in the Misquamicut Beach Club’s Annual Open Water Swim by providing a safety boat and rescue swimmer. Three Watch Hill Firefighters certified as Emergency Medical Technicians participated as the safety boat crew aboard Marine 101 and monitored the event. The one mile swim lasted approximately thirty minutes and included more than a dozen participants. Fortunately, there were no incidents during the swim.

Firefighter Patrick Majeika, one of the firefighters on the boat is also one of our highly trained rescue swimmers. Our rescue swimmers participated in a five day training program to become certified as surf rescue rescue swimmers. They are trained to save victims caught in various water rescue situations including large waves and fast moving water, as well as in rocky areas.

Providing event standby crews in case of an emergency are just another part of our on going efforts towards community risk reduction.

A rapid response by our Watch Hill Firefighter EMT's and Rescue Swimmer on board Marine 101 could have meant the difference between life and death In an actual emergency. Our appreciation is extended to Lieutenant Chris Koretski, Lieutenant Dennis Mello, and Firefighter Patrick Majeika for providing coverage for the event.