November 1, 2025 — The Whiting Fire Company’s Water Rescue & Recovery Team completed its monthly training earlier this week, continuing its commitment to maintaining high-level preparedness and operational excellence. The October drill focused on equipment review and land-based “dirt” dives, reinforcing core skills essential to rescue and recovery operations.

The session began with a full inspection of all water rescue equipment, including a detailed review of the team’s boat-mounted sonar unit. Members practiced setup and deployment, reviewed scanning strategies, and analyzed previous sonar imagery to strengthen interpretation skills.

Training then transitioned to land-based search operations. Firefighters conducted a variety of search patterns—such as arc, walking line, and jackstay techniques—using the team’s line-pull communication system, which serves as a fail-safe method for diver-to-diver and diver-to-topside communication. While electronic communications remain valuable, instructors emphasized that line pulls remain the most reliable primary method.

Members also reviewed recovery mode, rescue mode, and evidence recovery procedures, ensuring familiarity with the full spectrum of underwater search strategies.

The department noted that consistent, focused training is critical to the team’s ability to perform effectively during real-world emergencies.