Bartlesville Fire Department’s B Shift spent some time at Lee Lake last week training with the department’s new swift water rescue boat.
“After the flooding we had last spring we recognized the need for a swift water rescue boat,” said Deputy Fire Chief David Topping.
Dewey resident Melvin Offutt assisted Bartlesville Fire Department with several rescues during the spring flooding using his personally-owned swift water rescue boat. The boats are designed to navigate shallow, swift moving waters.
The funding for the boat was realized through a donation to Washington County Emergency Management, Topping said.
The department will hold a three-day certification training next month.