Flooding - Emergency Response

[H2oAirRsQ]

The summer of 2001 has brought unpresedented flooding throughout the United States, Texas, Louisianna, West Virgina, Pennsylvania, Massachuetts, Florida, Ohio and the list goes on as I type this post.
I am interested in learning how the fire departments in the flood stricken areas have and are handling "flood emergencies."
How are rescues and evacutations being accomplished?
How are rescue workers answering 911 calls and accessing flood victims?
What type of apparatus are being use?
What type of watercraft are most often used and what type of watercraft work best?
Most importantly, what type of preparation and training have the departments done to prepare for flood emergencies?
I know that those are a lot of questions, however, please feel free to email me directly. I am very anxious to read your responses.
Robert
Marines Services Bureau
MDFR

[FORTff]

I am a firefighter in Montgomery County PA. We are about 25 minutes from Philadelphia. For the past few years now we have been getting slammed hard with floods. Waters have reached as high 10-12 feet in parts of our coverage area. When we are dispatched for a water rescue, we respond with our engines. To go in the water to complete the rescue, you must be tied off, be wearing a PFD, and a helmet. NO ONE in turn out gear is allowed near the water. Calls for us tend to build up rather quickly, upwards of 60 calls in an 8 hour period. In the past we have worked well with mutual aid when we needed it. A large portion of our company was recently trained in a swift water rescue class. With any luck we will get the rest of the company trained soon. I hope this helps.
DAN

[ 09-02-2001: Message edited by: FORT ff ]

[ 09-02-2001: Message edited by: FORT ff ]