Two Marthasville firefighters recently spent five days jumping off a bridge, floating over the top of a dam, and sliding down a spillway in rushing swift water along the St. Joseph River in Indiana.And like their service to the Marthasville area as firefighters, they volunteered to do it.Brian Kopp and Chris Pitucha, both lieutenants with the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department, recently completed their certification for swift water rescue, attending a grueling course at the Indiana River Rescue School in South Bend, Ind.“We realized we had a shortfall,” said Sean Johnson, assistant fire chief. “We have had flash flood situations right here and we need to be prepared. Rescues have taken place already on Concord Hill, Charrette Creek, Dry Fork and Augusta Bottom roads in recent flash floods.”Johnson said that any training firefighters undergo is critical because when someone from the community is in trouble, the urge to save them is overwhelming, even without proper training or equipment.“For us, having the knowledge to mitigate the call is huge,” he said.Johnson said there are now four men certified in swift water rescue located in Warren County, but this kind of specialized rescue relies heavily on regional manpower and equipment. When a rescue call comes in, an immediate mutual aid alert will prompt nearby departments that boats, manpower and equipment are needed in the area.The Indiana River Rescue School, founded in 1983, takes place along the East Race Waterway and has been used for Olympic kayak trials. It uses a controlled environment to give students a realistic but safe way to prepare for swift water rescues. A rushing torrent controlled by floodgates and complete with concrete obstacles is the classroom.“You have to complete a 300-meter swim before you can qualify,” said Pitucha. “It’s kind of daunting.”“They don’t show you a video of jumping off the bridge on their website,” said Kopp. “But once you realize you are probably not going to drown, it was kind of fun.”Kopp said a variety of coursework was part of the certification, including methods to keep themselves safe, learning how to use ropes and pulleys, and boat operations. The men were able to practice with a submerged car, learned common rescue terminology and river dynamics.The equipment required to be fully prepared is expensive for any department. Dry suits alone cost upward of $2,000 each. That is not to be confused with ice rescue suits, which are unique to winter rescues. Life jackets and helmets are also needed as basic equipment for water rescues.Johnson said the department is planning on sending two firefighters each year, at a cost of $600 for each firefighter.For more information about the Swift Water Rescue training, visit www.indianariverrescue.com. To learn more about the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department, its services or how to become a member, visit www.marthasvillefire.org.

Brian Kopp, left, and Chris Pitucha of the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department recently completed swift water rescue training at the Indiana River Rescue School in South Bend, Ind. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden