 | |||
We offer water rescue capabilities on both the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers. During the winter months, our department personnel utilize a variety of specially designed ice rescue equipment. During the summer, a rapid deployment Zodiac boat with a 15 horse outboard motor is utilized. This small and durable craft can be lifted off its trailer and carried to the water's edge by four personnel, offering fast access on any body of water. The Zodiac has been requested at emergency scenes all over St. Lawrence County and has proven to be a very effective water rescue tool. Six personnel have been certified as SCUBA divers with four of the six receiving advanced open water credentials. The Ogdensburg Fire Department dive team trains on a regular basis and is very proud of its capabilities. Through the generous donations of local residents, a Cairns thermal imaging camera was purchased in 1999. This camera allows firefighters to locate unconscious victims in a smoke fill environment, as well as locate concealed pockets of fire behind walls, under floors, or above ceilings. Telemetry equipment which allows images from within the fire to be broadcast to an external television was purchased and installed in 2001. The Ogdensburg Fire Department took delivery of a Bauer Unicus II/13/E3 compressed air breathing system on April 2002. The system consists of a 10 horsepower, 13 cfm, 6000 psi compressor and a three bottle fragmentation proof fill system. This unit is used to fill SCBA and SCUBA bottles for firefighting and diving purposes. It replaces a 1980 vintage unit which became inoperative in August 2001. In 2004, the Ogdensburg Fire Department purchased 8 new Scott airpacks. These new airpacks feature state-of-the-art design and have a 45-minute air supply. The purcahse of these airpacks was made possible by the Fire Act Grant Program which is run by F.E.MA.
| |||
