Water Rescue Equipment

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Story Published: Jul 10, 2008 at 5:19 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:59 PM MST

By Rick Montañez

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Funeral arrangements are still pending for 41-year old Robert Stock, the man whose body was pulled from the Snake River Wednesday.

His was the second drowning in Bonneville County in one week. Today, Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Rick Montañez set out to see just how equipped public agencies are to handle water rescues.

Overall, the the county is well prepared. But, when you look at different agencies like the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Sheriff's Office, that's where there's a variation in equipment.

"It can be very dangerous, even with the PFD and all the equipment," says Sgt. Doug Metcalf.

This is the equipment he's talking about, a personal floatation device, a throw disc and a throw bag, all three things are supplied to each Sheriff's Office vehicle.

"Each year, of course, there's accidents and more people are in the river and accidents start increasing," says Capt. Ken Brown, IFFD.

Which is why, according to the Sheriff's Office, they keep these valuable tools in their patrol cars. Sgt Metcalf tells me, the county responds to all water rescues. While Ken Brown from the police department says, inside city limits, the fire department also responds.

"They'll respond the same time we respond. They've got the equipment, the vests, the Bogey boards, all the stuff to get out to people," says Capt. Brown.

For that reason, police officers are only equipped with a throw disc, and the city is looking into buying throw bags, t they are not provided with PFD's.

"With the fire department, the sheriff's department, helping and cooperating with us in this , between all of us we have a lot of equipment that can be used to rescue people in the river," says Capt. Brown. "Its worked very well, we share equipment, we share man power, we share staffing."

I also asked about the cost of a rescue or recovery like the one from yesterday. I'm told it varies depending on what equipment, like boats, is available. And the price may go up depending on the cost of fuel. In bigger counties like Bonneville, they can afford to absorb those costs.

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