DIVE TEAM
The Framingham Fire Dive Rescue Team is comprised of
16 Dive Rescue Specialists(DR-1) trained by Dive Rescue International. Four
teams of four divers provide around the clock immediate response for the community
we serve and the surrounding communities if needed. Fire Chief Michael Smith
has committed to providing one of the largest, best trained and fully equipped
public safety dive teams in New England. Professionalism, cooperation and
dedication are always employed.
QUALIFICATIONS
At a minimum, all firefighters must be certified as
public safety divers, open water divers, Dive Rescue Specialists, first responders
and in ice diving operations. The team members expertise is diverse including
hazardous materials, tunnel rescue, high angle rescue, land search and rescue,
auto extrication, ice rescue and advanced emergency medical training.
TRAINING
Training is intense and often in challenging conditions such as zero visibility
and extreme weather conditions. Monthly training includes water incident management,
shore and boat based search patterns, underwater navigation, ice dive operations,
evidence recovery, victim retrieval; including dealing with media, family
and outside agencies.
EQUIPMENT
All divers wear standardized gear and are issued a 7mm wet suit, mask, fins,
snorkel, 2 hand lights, 2 cutting tools, a bouency compensator, balance environmental
regulator with back up, 2 aluminum air tanks, a weight belt, a chest harness
with caribeener, an equipment bag and a personal pager. Several team members
are also equipped with dry suits.
Transporting divers is made possible by means of 5 Zodiac dive rescue boats and a dive rescue vehicle which carries all supported equipment including a hard wired communications unit, ropes, markers, lift bags, life vests, body recovery system, extra tanks and many other items to effectively and efficiently perform at a water incident.
ACTIVATION
Activation of the dive team is though the fire department dispatch center
(508) 620-4951 or 911. Framingham Fire Dive Team is on the states mutual aid
resource listing. A full complement of professional dive rescue specialists
can be dispatched immediately at the request of any agency or community in
need.
