NYSAFC is pleased to announce that its first Water Rescue Conference will take place from September 14-15, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y. The event includes a full day of lectures with leaders in water rescue from the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), plus hands-on training evolutions led by USCG instructors.

Lectures will take place on Saturday, September 14 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel & Conference Center in Buffalo. Hands-on training will be conducted on Sunday at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Buffalo.

Registration for the program is $100 per person (for NYSAFC Individual and Department Members) and $125 for non-members (per person). It includes five lectures and hands-on training activities.

The program will include:

Lectures – Saturday, September 14, 2013

"Water Rescue"
Executive Petty Officer Thomas D’Amore, United States Coast Guard
This program will teach students how the USCG does water recovery from boats and the different ways this can be accomplished. It will also review tactical operations and how you can use the skills learned to enhance your boat driving abilities and experience.

"Drowning Care for the Prehospital Care Provider"
NYS CIC David Cole, DC Solutions
This program will give students both a refresher on their current knowledge of drowning and provide some new information on subjects including pathophysiology, hypothermia, and what to expect with near drowning patients.

"Swiftwater & Hurricane Response – FDNY Special Operations Command"
Chief of Rescue Operations Stephen J. Geraghty, FDNY
This program will focus on the FDNY’s hurricane and swiftwater response training and capabilities. Equipment, operational readiness, and the department’s response to recent hurricanes will be discusses and critiqued. 

"SCUBA Capabilities & Operational Readiness – FDNY Special Operations Command"
Battalion Chief Richard J. Blatus, Rescue Operations Battalion, FDNY
This program will review the training, operational techniques, and strategies associated with the FDNY’s Municipal Rescue Diver Program. It will include a discussion of the departments SOPs and the importance of the supporting line units at underwater incidents.

"Contaminated Water Diving & How It Relates to FDNY SCUBA Operations"
Captain/Company Commander James Murray – FDNY Rescue Co. 5
The proposed NFPA 1953 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Contaminated Water Diving is currently a draft but should be a standard by 2014. The FDNY has worked to ensure that its members are protected to the highest level with specialized dry suits, full face piece masks, and air blocks supplied by duplicate air sources. Learn how this NFPA standard will affect your dive operations.

Hands-On Training – Sunday, September 15, 2013

Participants will work hand-in-hand with U.S. Coast Guard personnel at the Coast Guard Station in Buffalo to practice the lessons learned from Saturday’s lectures regarding safe water rescue. Teams will take turns entering the water in a controlled environment to secure and remove victims from the water.

PPE requirements: Students must supply their own wet or dry suits and bring the equipment they use and train with to ensure there is no real loss of confidence with their own equipment. Any specialized equipment needs to be approved by USCG on-site before the event. 

Registration

A pre-registration form will be available in June here. On-site registration will also be available.