Initially the team operated out of a flat bottom sand bar type of boat. Members began to expand their dive training and a new boat was purchased from Sanibel Fire Department for $1.00. It was rebuilt and put into renewed service. All water rescues were primarily surface rescues. All members were trained in diving by Captain Preston Colby, owner of Florida’s Underwater Tactical. Captain Preston was a retired instructor from Ocala. He pre-dated all of the current companies’ teaching, and his techniques are still being used.
The Water Ops Team has been expanded to 13 personnel per shift and will operate primarily out of Iona 230, Iona 250, and of course, the Fire Boats. The teams’ equipment has radically changed to include a dry suit, full face mask and under water communications system. All current team members are Open water, Full face mask, Dry suit, and Dive Rescue 1 certified; and many have their Dive Rescue 2 certifications. All boat operators or pilots have a U.S. Coast Guard license as well.
The Water ops team currently utilizes two boats. Iona 702 is a 25’ Sea Hawk with 2 outboard motors. In 2008 we placed into service a 31’ aluminum hull boat, the “John Becker” (Iona 70). The John Becker is diesel powered with a jet drive and provides the team a large, stable, platform for dive operations and superior fire fighting capabilities.
The John Becker (Iona 70) could have been described as a near derelict vessel when the Fire District purchased it. Through the combined efforts of the on-duty fire crews and in-house maintenance personnel, the final refurbished product is capable of supplying large quantities of water for the District’s marine firefighting needs.
The Water ops team trains monthly, both in the water diving and on the water practicing boat operations. This past year, the IMFD Water Ops team participated in 2 Marine Emergency Response Team ‘MERT’ training events. MERT training events are multi-jurisdictional events, involving search and rescue, diving, and firefighting skills. Participation in these events have given us extensive training along with the experience of working with many other agencies to accomplish one goal, Water Safety.