SFFR water rescue on display

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue is increasing its ability to respond to emergencies, and it’s not just about fires.  Mayor Paul TenHaken was on hand as members of the dive rescue program put on a training display at Lake Lorraine Wednesday morning.  Fire Division Chief Luke Smidt says the department now has the equipment and personnel to always be ready for water emergencies.  “We have 12 trained divers on Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue – four divers for each shift, spread across three shifts.  So every single day we have at least four divers that are ready and prepared in the event that something would happen and we would need to get divers in the water.”   The Department’s divers face annual tests to maintain their certification as International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists.