SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY – Westbrookville Volunteer Fire Company, Station 34, was dispatched to a reported water rescue on the Basha Kill (Wildlife Management Area, Sullivan County, NY) on the evening of July 1, 2026.

 A call had come in to Sullivan County 911 reporting a kayaker in distress with initial information indicating the individual had reached shore somewhere between Haven Road and the winery on South Road, but was unable to safely make it out.

WVFC Chief Bo Tunno said 34-1 established command and immediately requested Rock Hill Fire Department's drone response. Crews from 34-11 and 34-51 positioned on opposite sides of the reported location while additional mutual aid resources were requested, including: Lumberland Fire-Dept Glen Spey with their airboat, Orange County Battalion 8 Water Rescue Team, including Sparrow Bush airboat, Port Jervis Fire Department with a boat, Huguenot Fire Company with a boat, as well as Rock Hill Fire Department - NY with their rescue boat and drone.

Huguenot also provided station coverage with their Squad for Westbrookville, while Mamakating EMS stood by at the scene, and  Sullivan County Commissioner of Emergency Management responded to the scene.

A command post was established on Haven Road. Upon arrival, the Commissioner of Emergency Management quickly deployed a drone to the GPS coordinates obtained by Sullivan County 911 from the kayaker's cell phone. Within minutes, the drone located the individual and began transmitting live video back to the command post.

Using the drone's speaker, responders instructed the kayaker to remain where he was and assured him that rescuers were on the way. The individual acknowledged the message by signaling with a glow stick. Rock Hill FD also deployed their drone.

With skilled responders and available modern technologies engaged, including a GPS-guided phone, the crew from 34-11 accessed the area via the D&H Canal Towpath. Command was able to monitor the crew's progress in real time and assist with navigation to the victim's location.

Once contact was made, WVF Captain Holmes assessed the kayaker, provided hydration, and confirmed he was physically able to walk out. The crew then safely escorted him and his kayak back to the roadway, where members from Rock Hill assisted with removing the remaining equipment. As the rescue transitioned from a water operation to a walkout, Battalion 8 and Lumberland were released from staging.

We are happy to report that everyone made it out safely and the rescue was a complete success. The kayaker had the appropriate safety equipment, including a whistle, which also helped rescuers pinpoint his location.

WVF would like to thank all of their mutual aid partners, the Sullivan County NY Bureau of Fire, Sullivan County 911, and Sullivan County Emergency Management for their outstanding assistance. The rapid use of drone technology, GPS coordinates, and coordinated response from multiple agencies played a critical role in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.

34-1, 34-2, 34-3, 34-11 and 34-51 responded.

(Thank you to Chief Bo Tunno for this information, and to Rock Hill Fire Department for the photos.)