Swift Water rescue Training program Housed at Montgomery Whitewater
The Mid-South RC&D Council granted $50,000 to the Montgomery Whitewater Foundation for Phase Two of its Swift Water Rescue Training Program (SWR), enabling Montgomery Whitewater to provide in-house SWR training. First responders, search and rescue organizations, commercial river guides, and private river runners can now learn how to rescue themselves and others caught in dangerous water currents.
This is the Montgomery Whitewater Foundation’s first step toward building a long-term capacity for water rescue training. With the Mid-South RC&D grant, the Montgomery Whitewater Foundation acquired the necessary certifications and supplies needed to run the program. The facilities at Montgomery Whitewater can add another benefit by serving as a regional hub for advanced public safety training.
“It is incredibly powerful to stand here with everyone and recognize what’s occurring with these rescue teams. This is an incredible asset and a work in action that will save lives,”
The SWR training is a specialized technique aimed at rescuing people in fast-moving water environments like rivers and floodwater. Participants learn diagonal rope training, water navigation, rescue techniques for submerged vehicles, and more. Training conditions can also be modified to replicate various realistic situations without losing any safety measures or leaving any environmental impact behind. All this preemptively addresses a growing need in Alabama, evidenced by past flooding throughout the Southeast.
“Safety is paramount when training for these skills. It’s one of the most dangerous technical rescue disciplines. We’re very excited to be able to conduct night and flooded car training because that can open new opportunities for teams who are already trained.”
Mid-South RC&D is a nonprofit that acts as a financial resource for public entities to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of local communities in Alabama. The Montgomery Whitewater Foundation was awarded because of the public safety benefits SWR training would introduce throughout the state. Every first responder that receives SWR certification means achieving the goal of making Alabama a better place to live, work, and play.
“We gave $50,000 to the Whitewater Foundation for their swift water rescue training program to support a new training opportunity for first responders. Projects like this are a priority for our organization and relate strongly with Mid-South RC&D’s mission. Emergency responders are needed in every county across the state, and we love supporting the work they do to keep everyone safe.”