McKeesport-area firefighters complete advanced water rescue training

Firefighters from McKeesport, Glassport and Elizabeth have achieved the highest classification in water rescue training as members of a Mon Valley group that shares its skills with a county-wide response team.

Seventeen firefighters have completed an advanced line systems training course — the fourth and final instruction in achieving technician-level status for swift water and flood response training. The closing course was preceded by an introductory awareness program, water rescue and emergency response sessions, and ice rescue training.

Training was administered by the state Fish and Boat Commission at National Fire Protection Association standards.

McKeesport Fire Department Deputy Chief Chuck Margliotti, who is the city`s river rescue coordinator and a deputy coordinator for the Allegheny County Swift Water and Flood Response Team, said completion of the technician-level program poises the Mon Valley team to apply for state accreditation.

'The men and women of the team trained very hard under strenuous conditions,' Margliotti said. 'The training was physically demanding and simulated some very dangerous conditions.'

Those who completed all four of the training courses — 30 firefighters began training in 2010, and 17 completed the final session — said it`s an experience they no longer can imagine a rescue without.

McKeesport Fire Department Capt. Jeff List commended fellow firefighters for putting their skills to the test in trials that could benefit them in a true emergency.

'The experience of getting hands-on training in actual swift water conditions was priceless,' List said. 'We will be far more prepared if a situation like that arises.'

In class, they learned how to tie various knots and use ropes and other tools to reach a distressed individual on the water. But on the rapid waters of the Stonycreek River in Somerset County, they learned how the actions and movements of the person being retrieved can influence the outcome of a rescue.

'We take water rescue very seriously, and although it is not an everyday occurrence, you don`t want to ad-lib when the situation arises,' Margliotti said. 'Water rescue is said to be 400 times more dangerous than firefighting. We now have the training and confidence to respond safely and intelligently.'

After completing the ice rescue course in January, Chief Wayne Lewis of Citizens Hose Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 in Glassport said he believes the technician-level training is giving the Mon Valley team the expertise needed to serve local communities.

He also noted that the three participating departments are upgrading their river rescue equipment.

This year, McKeesport put into service a new rescue boat with firefighting capabilities. Glassport is maintaining its rescue boat and will put a jet ski into service this summer.

Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department, with its team led by Chief Chad Rager, purchased a 16-foot motorized inflatable boat and maintains other boats.

The local fire departments are first responders in water-related emergencies in their sections of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers.

Together they make up the Mon Valley team, which serves as a branch of the county Swift Water and Flood Response Team.

In addition to serving their local river rescue teams, Margliotti and Lewis also are officers in the county.

County officers are coordinator George McBriar of Blawnox VFD, deputy coordinator Margliotti, Mon-Yough Rivers supervisor Lewis, Ohio River supervisor Dave Miller of Crescent Township VFD and Allegheny River supervisor Rich Linn of Pittsburgh River Rescue.

The county team can be called upon to respond anywhere in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania or across the U.S.