Somers Fire Department Strengthened Regional Water Rescue Readiness

Somers, CT — October 11 — On Sunday, the Somers Fire Department facilitated a training exercise for the Tolland County Dive Team at Hurds Lake, situated within Camp Aya-Po.Somers personnel actively supported the operational procedures, which included the deployment of Marine 146 to assist the dive team throughout their activities.

This exercise afforded Somers personnel the chance to collaborate with a regional dive team, facilitating operational support during their training; specifically, the personnel provided essential assistance with equipment handling and boat maneuvers while the dive team executed its mission.

Functioning as a regional asset within the Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service, the Tolland County Dive Team comprised firefighters drawn from various departments throughout the county, delivering specialized search and rescue expertise during water-related emergencies. In parallel, the county sustained a distinct search and rescue unit, with both teams integrated into and operating pursuant to the county's comprehensive emergency operations plan.

Effective dive team operations necessitated seamless coordination among divers, support personnel, and command staff.

Prior to responding to aquatic emergencies, training sessions facilitated a comprehensive review of equipment utilization, communication protocols, and standard operating procedures.Furthermore, historical county training reports underscored the critical necessity of sustaining diver proficiency and cultivating confidence when operating within low-visibility environments.

The exercise was situated locally at Hurds Lake, which lies within the boundaries of Camp Aya-Po in Somers. The training underscored the critical importance of collaboration between municipal fire departments and specialized regional units.

By sustaining joint drills, these entities preserved operational readiness and ensured a cohesive, synchronized response capability when addressing water-related emergencies. Situated at 400 Main Street in Somers, Connecticut, is the Somers Fire Department.