10/21/2026
The Bloomfield Center Fire Department would like to congratulate four of our members on successfully completing an intense and physically demanding 4-day Swift Water Rescue Technician course!
Over the course of four grueling days, our firefighters were pushed both physically and mentally as they developed the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to operate safely and effectively in dangerous moving-water environments.
Throughout the course, members participated in classroom instruction and challenging hands-on evolutions covering:
🌊 Swift Water Hydrology – Understanding river currents, hydraulics, strainers, and other hazards associated with moving water.
🛟 Rescue Swimming & Self-Rescue – Practicing defensive and aggressive swimming techniques, navigating strong currents, and safely escaping hazardous situations.
🪢 Rope Rescue Systems – Utilizing ropes, throw bags, and specialized equipment to perform rescues in challenging water conditions.
🚨 Victim Rescue Techniques – Performing contact rescues, tethered rescues, and team-based rescue operations.
🤝 Teamwork & Rescue Scenarios – Applying their skills during realistic, physically demanding rescue evolutions that required communication, coordination, and quick decision-making.
WHY IS THIS TRAINING SO IMPORTANT?
The Farmington River is a significant target hazard within our region. Each year, countless individuals enjoy the river for kayaking, tubing, fishing, and other recreational activities. However, changing water levels, powerful currents, and unexpected hazards can quickly turn an enjoyable day into a life-threatening emergency.
While the Farmington River remains a major focus of our water rescue preparedness, the need for this training extends well beyond the riverbanks.
Across Connecticut and throughout the nation, we continue to witness increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather events. Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, severe storms, and rapidly rising waterways can create dangerous situations almost anywhere — including flooded roadways, neighborhoods, and areas that historically have not experienced significant flooding.
Water emergencies don’t always happen where we expect them, and our firefighters must be prepared to respond wherever the need arises.
One of the most valuable aspects of this course was the opportunity to train alongside firefighters from the East Granby Fire Department, Windsor Fire Department, Hazardville Fire Department, and Bridgeport Fire Department.
These partnerships strengthen our regional response capabilities and allow firefighters from multiple agencies to build the teamwork and familiarity needed when responding together to complex emergencies.
A special thank you to Water Training Resources (WTR) for providing outstanding instruction and challenging our members throughout the four-day program.
👏 Most importantly, congratulations to Firefighters, McKay, Thatcher, Keach-Longo, and Pfrang! Their dedication, willingness to challenge themselves, and commitment to expanding their skills reflect the professionalism and pride of the Bloomfield Center Fire Department.
Training like this requires a tremendous commitment of time, energy, and determination. It represents another important step in strengthening our department’s rescue capabilities and ensuring we are better prepared to protect the residents of Bloomfield and the surrounding communities.
Town of Bloomfield, CT
