Firefighters in The Pas have spent the past several weeks building their skills in several specialized rescue training exercises.

 

Members recently took part in Surface Water Rescue training delivered by instructors from the Manitoba Emergency Services College. The course included classroom instruction as well as hands-on exercises in the Pasquia River, where firefighters practiced water rescue techniques and boat operations.

 

For some members, the training also provided their first experience driving a boat.

 

The department says maintaining strong water rescue capabilities is especially important in the region, with numerous lakes, rivers, and waterways surrounding the community.

 

Firefighters have also been working on advanced vehicle extrication techniques. During one training scenario, crews practiced stabilizing and lifting the front end of a rolled-over vehicle 90 degrees, a maneuver known as a “vehicle taco”, to create safe access to potential patients.

 

The department says the training allows members to refine their technical skills and prepare for the high-pressure situations they may face when responding to emergencies across the region.