Joint Water Rescue Training

On July 21, three area fire departments and the Huron County Sheriff’s Officedid a joint water rescue training exercise off of the Caseville County Park Beach. Firemen with their boats from the Caseville, Harbor Beach and Port Austin Fire Departments, as well as Sheriff Kelly Hanson and deputies, practiced recovering victims in the rough water and windy conditions.
It was done in conditions similar to actual rescue conditions given the majority of rescues aren’t made on calm, sunny days. Fire rescue boats ranging in size of 14′ to 20′ participated, as well as the Sheirff Department’s 20′ airboat and 28′ Boston Whaler Patrol Boat based out of Caseville. Spectators noted the airboat being towed out and in of the Caseville Harbor, which was because the boat is hard to control at slow speeds, especially in windy conditions.
Every year each of last evening’s agencies are typically involved in a life or death rescue situation that comes in a variety of conditions, which includes cold water or ice. Huron County has almost 100 miles of shoreline and is a popular destination to many.