First responders practice their water rescue skills in the Conn. River
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - First responders are brushed up on their group response skills — ahead of this weekend’s Ironman triathlon.
Springfield, Mass. State Police, and Environmental Police joined fire crews in the Connecticut River on Thursday in order to practice their water rescue training in case of an emergency during the swimming portion of the Ironman race.
Western Mass News spoke with Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. calvi in order to learn why these precautions are necessary, “an exercise like this is a great tool to prepare for an event. You know, it helps get some of the kinks worked out of the process where you’re going to put stretchers, where the boats are going to come in, where they’re going to pull out, what the staffing configuration is for boats working together and things like that. So it’s a key piece and pre-planning piece to get it ready for a major event.”
For details on how the race will impact Sunday’s traffic, visit the traffic page at on our web page or on our app.
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