FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — The deadly floods that hit Central Texas this past summer are pushing first responders to get more training and improve their swift water rescue skills.
Colton Cantù is a Fredericksburg firefighter and paramedic who has countless hours of training.
But one gap in his skill set was swift water rescue. He decided to change that after the July 4th deadly and destructive floods in the Hill Country.
“It had a huge impact on me,” said Cantù.
Cantù and a dozen other Fredericksburg first responders just completed their first swift water rescue training.
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“It definitely opened my eyes that I really want to have more training and more experience and more knowledge of performing these life rescues,” said Cantù.
Captain Lee Dreyer organized the training. He says the summer floods made firefighters more aware of the value of ensuring rescuers have the skills they need to be able to save lives and not become victims.
“People were kind of on the fence about whether they wanted to actually go through it and would they use it. Now they see the need for it and are more apt to go to the class and get the training,” said Dreyer.
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Over the past three months half the staff at the Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department has been certified in swift water rescue. Those 14 firefighters and paramedics bring the total number of trained shift personnel to 33 and has the department better prepared to respond to flooding throughout the Hill Country.