Borough Firefighters Become Trained in Swift Water Rescue
BY ANDREW TOMER, CHIEF/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
JEFFERSON HILLS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
It’s no secret that the weather patterns seem to have shifted
resulting in excessive amounts of precipitation in the Pittsburgh
area. In July of 2018, heavy rains resulted in multiple people
being trapped in flood waters throughout Jefferson Hills and
the rest of the region. As a result, the Jefferson Hills Volunteer
Fire Department recognized the need for an established and
well‑trained swift water rescue team.
Jefferson Hills Borough Council understood the need and
provided funding to purchase
swift water rescue equipment:
dry suits, life vests, a swift water
rescue boat and trailer, and other
miscellaneous equipment. Jefferson
Hills fire fighters began their training
last August with Water Rescue
Awareness. Ten members completed
the 68 hours of training which
includes: Water Rescue Emergency
Response, Emergency Boat
Operations Responder, Advanced
Line System Rescue, and Ice Rescue
and Emergency Response. With the
addition of the ten trained water
rescue technicians—Andrew Tomer,
Stacey Tomer, Brian Chalfant, Justin
Allan, Chase Bendick, Ryan Hess,
Anthony Lewis, Dylan Clark, Michael
Toth, Sean Dornin—the Jefferson
Hills Volunteer Fire Department now
We are always looking for new members,
if you are interested in a rewarding
opportunity to serve your community,
please contact us at:
60
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
has twelve water rescue technicians. Swift water rescue team
members who were previously trained are Edward Parker and
Alan Rowe.
While the Jefferson Hills Volunteer Fire Department is
committed to preserving life and property for all residents and
visitors to our community, the first step in flood safety starts with
you. It is important to remember that flash flooding can happen
within minutes or hours of heavy rainfall. Flashfloods can move
homes and cars, uproot trees, and
cause significant damage in local
infrastructure. Most of all flash flood
fatalities are vehicle related. Six
inches of water can stall a vehicle,
and one foot of moving water can
sweep away most cars, trucks, and
SUVs.
Jefferson Hills 885 VFD
380 Wray Drive
Jefferson Hills PA 15025
412.384.5141
www.facebook.com/jeffersonhills885vfc
Additional Water Safety Tips
• Do not walk in water that is up
to your ankles, moving water can
sweep you off your feet.
• Avoid low lying areas during heavy
rains such as underground parking
garages and basements.
• “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” do not
attempt to drive through standing
or moving water.
• Stay off bridges as fast-moving
water can move or damage bridges.
Floreffe VFD
1540 State Street
Jefferson Hills PA 15025
412.384.9644
www.facebook.com/FVFC178