BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE, NY — August 17 — The Blue Mountain Lake Volunteer Fire Department carried out hands-on water rescue training on Monday, engaging in three distinct scenarios and practicing various rescue techniques on Blue Mountain Lake.

The training aimed to build essential skills that firefighters may require when dealing with someone in trouble in or around the water.

During the training, the department highlighted the importance of the "Reach, Throw, Row, Go" water-rescue method.

This approach emphasizes using the safest possible rescue method first before moving to more dangerous options.Reaching the victim from a secure position and throwing a flotation device or a rescue line are less risky choices, while using a boat and entering the water require extra training, equipment, and careful risk evaluation.

For firefighters, consistent practical training is especially crucial because water incidents can rapidly alter the situation.

Rescue personnel must consider the victim's condition, the distance from shore, the water's conditions, the available equipment, and the capabilities of the rescuers.

The training on August 17 involved three scenarios and different rescue techniques, as shared by the department.

The exercises allowed the members to work through water-rescue situations in a controlled environment rather than waiting for an actual emergency to test their skills.

The Blue Mountain Lake Volunteer Fire Department, located at 3454 NY-28 in Blue Mountain Lake, was the main department involved in the training.

New York State records also list the Blue Mountain Lake Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Squad at the same State Route 28 address.

A boat was provided for the training by Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery, enabling firefighters to include a watercraft in their practice.

The livery has been operating on Blue Mountain Lake since 1908 and offers a range of watercraft, such as motorboats, pontoon boats, kayaks, and canoes.Its facility also serves as a public boat launch site on the lake.

The collaboration between the fire department and the local boat livery allowed firefighters to train in an environment similar to what they might encounter in an actual water emergency.

The August 17 exercise continued this focus on keeping water-rescue readiness through regular practice.