PLEASANT GAP – Since 2015, emergency crews in Centre County have invested in training for swift water and flood-related emergencies.
On Saturday crews across county participated in a large drill.
The day of different activities took place at the Pleasant Gap Fire Company and in surrounding areas. The program is designed and operated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
Whether it was on the news or the internet, people saw similar rescue missions in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey. Emergency crews practiced their skills to improve with swift water and flood response.
It's a bird, it's a plane ... it's emergency crews running drills.
"To see the initiative, all the effort, that dedication really coming together for our residents of centre county and the region ... this it magnificent," Pleasant Gap Fire Company Chief Lou Brungard said.
Throughout Centre County, crews geared up for rescue training.
"They're hoisting members in and out of the aircraft to go down, simulate that ground level response vertically," Brungard said.
Team members say it’s been a long time coming, but they’re happy to be at this part of the process. They’ve been through training courses before.
"It's been a two to three year process for us to get to this point, so it pays off,” Pleasant Gap Fire Company firefighter Kurtis Brungard said. “And that's kind of what today is, it's everybody’s excitement, we get to do what we've been working for."
Howard Fire Company, Milesburg Fire Company, Pine Glen Fire Company and Pleasant Gap Fire Company are all investing into swift water and flood response capabilities.
"In my opinion, it’s a very important to do hands on,” Kurtis Brungard said. “You can lecture all you want in the classroom, but not everybody is going to grasp the concept what needs to be done and how it needs to be done safely."
Each department has trained responders for water rescues, and the last two years have allowed the companies to further improve their capabilities. The training puts first responders out on the aircrafts, doing first-hand rescues.
"For any emergency services, the more lifelike that you can make drills and exercises the more beneficial it really is,” Lou Brungard said.
Crew members say they’re happy to spend this time to get more experience, not just for themselves but to prepare to help the community if needed.
"It familiarizes us with the aircraft if we do need to move ... throughout the Commonwealth. so,So they can pick us up here for an emergency somewhere else in the state and we can take a team and be actively deployed. ... soSo it speeds up response time," Kurtis Brungard said.
According to the Pleasant Gap Fire chief there always looking for ways to improve and practice.
Officials are planning for a regional drill in October.
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