The Minnehaha County Emergency Management Rescue Squad responds to about 3 or 4 water rescue calls during the summer time, according to one of its members, Will Lyons. While Lyons says these types of calls aren't common, it's still something emergency responders have to be prepared for. That's what brought a group of South Dakota firefighers to a Sioux Falls park Saturday.
"It's summertime. Everybody's going to be out," Brookings firefighter Thomas Coughlin said.
That's what inspires Thomas Coughlin to be out on the water, practicing life-saving skills. Coughlin is a participant of South Dakota Fire School and a Brookings volunteer firefighter. But it was when he was off duty and his friend's boat capsized that he got a reminder of just how important these skills can be.
"He hit his head and we were worried about him. We just threw a rope to him, pulled him to our boat," Coughlin said.
Incidents like that compel Coughlin to sharpen the skills he already has in water rescue.
"We're placing students in the water in special suits to protect them, having the students throw the devices to the victims to simulate a rescue in the real world," Class Instructor Will Lyons said.
Will Lyons with the Minnehaha County Emergency Management Rescue Squad is teaching the class.
During the training, he shared rescue techniques with firefighters from all across the state, something he's happy to do.
"You have people from all walks of life. We do this because we love it. We like giving back to our communities and Fire School's a chance to advance our training," Lyons said.
"It's nice to have the training so you can rescue the victim without becoming a victim yourself," Coughlin said.
Now, Coughlin and his fellow firefighers can be better prepared to answer the call for help on the water.
"It's summertime. Everybody's going to be out," Brookings firefighter Thomas Coughlin said.
That's what inspires Thomas Coughlin to be out on the water, practicing life-saving skills. Coughlin is a participant of South Dakota Fire School and a Brookings volunteer firefighter. But it was when he was off duty and his friend's boat capsized that he got a reminder of just how important these skills can be.
"He hit his head and we were worried about him. We just threw a rope to him, pulled him to our boat," Coughlin said.
Incidents like that compel Coughlin to sharpen the skills he already has in water rescue.
"We're placing students in the water in special suits to protect them, having the students throw the devices to the victims to simulate a rescue in the real world," Class Instructor Will Lyons said.
Will Lyons with the Minnehaha County Emergency Management Rescue Squad is teaching the class.
During the training, he shared rescue techniques with firefighters from all across the state, something he's happy to do.
"You have people from all walks of life. We do this because we love it. We like giving back to our communities and Fire School's a chance to advance our training," Lyons said.
"It's nice to have the training so you can rescue the victim without becoming a victim yourself," Coughlin said.
Now, Coughlin and his fellow firefighers can be better prepared to answer the call for help on the water.