Eleven members of the Noroton Fire Department completed a United States Coast Guard (“USCG”)-led Marine Search & Rescue (“MARSAR”) course this spring, further preparing their marine crews for the summer boating season in the waters around Darien.
The course provided Noroton fire-rescue personnel with the latest, best practices for MARSAR operations.
Noroton firefighters on Marine 34, the department\’s fireboat.
“This training provides our marine division with best practice techniques and tools in MARSAR operations.” said Noroton Fire Chief Jim O’Brien. “It enhances our readiness on Darien’s Long Island sound waters. Our crews will recertify annually with the Coast Guard.”
____________
— an announcement from the Noroton Fire Department
____________
The training equipped fire fighters with the most updated skills in the preparation, planning and execution of various search and rescue techniques required when Noroton Fire is called to respond to Long Island Sound emergencies.
“With boating season upon us, we need our marine fire-rescue crews as prepared as possible for rapid response and coordinated rescue operations,” said Jack Butcher, Captain of the Norton Fire Department’s Marine Division.
“Our marine division is specially trained on several boats we use to respond to vessels in distress, marine fires, missing swimmers, missing kayakers or overdue vessels, sinking vessels, and other marine-related emergencies.”
Butcher said the department is constantly upgrading its search & rescue assets, most recently adding to its night-vision search capabilities on its fireboat.
SIDEBAR: A REMINDER ABOUT BOATING SAFETY
The officers and members of the Noroton Fire Department remind residents who enjoy the water of the following boating safety tips:
- Before you go, know the weather forecast. Weather can change fast.
- Before you go, tell people where your journey will take you. MARSAR responses for missing or overdue vessels rank statistically high.
- Wear lifejackets – according to 2015 USCG accident statistics, 85 percent of drowning victims were not wearing lifejackets.
- Be able and alert. According to 2015 US Coast Guard accident statistics, the top three contributing factors of marine accidents are: operating inattention, operator inexperience, and improper lookout.
The Noroton Fire Department provides Darien’s residents, as well as neighboring coast line communities on a mutual aid basis, fire protection and rescue assistance on Long Island Sound with its 27-foot custom Boston Whaler fireboat. In operation for over 25 years, “Marine 34,” as it’s known to boaters, operates 24/7/365 out of Ziegler’s Cove.
Noroton Fire Department also uses a 13-foot inflatable craft for shore line and pond emergencies.
Boaters who need to contact the Noroton Fire Department can do so by contact the department or request assistance via the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 or by dialing 911 on a mobile phone.
O’Brien said, “The Noroton Fire Department prides itself on providing well trained and equipped first response fire-rescue services for Darien marine emergencies.”