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Oklahoma State University, OKC Fire Department, Riversport Rapids Partner, Create Premier Swiftwater Rescue Training Program for Nation’s First Responders

Monday, August 22, 2016

Oklahoma State University, OKC Fire Department, Riversport Rapids Partner, Create Premier Swiftwater Rescue Training Program for Nation’s First Responders

Swiftwater Fact Sheet

Flooding and swift rising waters are the #1 cause of weather related deaths in America.   This week in Louisiana the dangers and deadly force of flood waters are in the headlines as rescuers pull thousands of people from swift flood waters and many have died in torrential rains.

Oklahoma State University, the OKC Fire Department and RIVERSPORT Rapids in the Oklahoma City Boathouse District are partnering to bring the nation’s premier swiftwater rescue training program to firefighters and first responders. Fire departments from around the U.S. and the globe will be invited to train in this state-of-the-art facility under the supervision and instruction of top swiftwater professional trainers.

President Burns Hargis speaking to the crowd

The training program will operate out of the iconic Riversport Rapids Kayak Boathouse visible from I-35.

“This partnership between the OSU Fire Service, OKC FD and Riversport is the perfect intersection to train first responders to learn how to ‘read the waters’ and safely rescue flooding victims,” said OSU President Burns Hargis.  “OSU Fire Service Training is a highly respected leader in emergency training and planning. Putting our experts into this advanced Riversport facility alongside the OKC Fire Department prepares trainees for the ultimate in swiftwater rescue operations in all kinds of waters and weather.” 

The $45.2 million RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater and kayaking center is one of only three man-made whitewater venues in the nation and is the official training facility for the U.S. Olympic team.  It is the newest and most technically advanced, powered by six 12,000 pound pumps recirculating 8 million gallons of treated water through two channels to create class II-IV rapids.

“Swiftwater rescue has always been at the center of our plans for RIVERSPORT Rapids, and we couldn’t have a better partner than OSU. Their leadership and innovation in training first responders makes them the natural choice to lead the way in swiftwater rescue,” said Mike Knopp, OKC Boathouse District Executive Director. “We’re excited to be able to offer a safe, manageable whitewater venue for them to work in, and to ensure training is accessible to a much wider range of first responders than ever before.” “Offering swiftwater rescue training is just one more way that this MAPS project is serving the community.”

Boat House Christening

“Swift flood and rising river waters present the most dangerous conditions for first responders to conduct rescue operations.  Our goal is to put the finest trained rescuers in the water to protect both our communities and our responders,” said Oklahoma City Fire Chief Keith Bryant “The technical capabilities of the Riversport center to control the condition of the training waters makes this program superior to any other man-made or wild water training.  We can change the volume, churning velocity and obstacles in the water to simulate any real-world swiftwater crisis, day or night, in a controlled environment.”

The first OSU/OKCFD swiftwater class completed training August 19.  Additional five-day classes are currently scheduled in September and March with more expected to be added as more fire departments learn of the program. 

Training topics include hydrology, throw bags and short-based operations, water entry, eddy swims, river crossings tension diagonal with water curtain, continuous loops, self-rescue, survival swimming, raft/boat operations, night operations and swiftwater medical emergencies. 

Upon completion, trainees will receive a Certificate of Completion from the OSU Fire Service Training. Classes are instructed by OSU Fire Service Training and the OKC Fire Department professionals.

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