Dive Team
The town of Yarmouth is surrounded by water on three sides. There are
several salt marshes with many estuaries, public and private beaches,
boat launch areas, town way's to water and shell fishing sites. In
addition there are several freshwater lakes and ponds located throughout
the town. The town of Yarmouth maintains 11 saltwater and 5 freshwater
beaches. There are also numerous private and association beaches for
residents and visitors.
The water located in the Town of Yarmouth are used year round. In the spring, summer and fall there are many swimmers, boaters, fishermen as well as those who kayak, canoe and shellfish. In the winter there is ice fishing, ice skating and adventurous kids who play on the ice.
As can be seen by the vast areas of fresh and salt water, it is vital that the Town of Yarmouth maintains a fully trained and equipped dive rescue team to be able to respond immediately to any incident on or under the water.
Over the years Yarmouth Fire Department divers have responded to plain crashes, boating accidents, missing swimmers, car accidents and skaters who have fallen through the ice. The dive team has conducted training as well as worked on incidents with the Department of Natural Resources (Harbor Master Department) as they have larger boats and trained operators with local knowledge of the marine waters in town. The fire department dive team has also helped the Yarmouth Police Department by locating stolen property and evidence disposed of in local waters.
The Yarmouth Fire Department currently has 9 divers on the roster made up of members from each shift and one member from staff. All members of the dive team are experienced recreational divers on the outside who bring their knowledge, skills and experience to the fire department. At a minimum all divers are certified Advanced Open Water Divers. Most of the divers hold additional certifications such as Rescue Diver, Search and Recovery Diver, Dry Suit Diver, Ice Diver, Deep Diver, Master Scuba Diver and Dive Master.
The Fire Department converted an old ambulance into Squad 50 a dive team truck. Squad 50 is equipped with equipment for surface and subsurface water rescue. The dive team also operates Boat 40A an 18ft ridged hull inflatable rescue boat and 40B a Yamaha Wave Runner equipped with a rescue sled.
As can be seen by the vast areas of fresh and salt water, it is vital that the Town of Yarmouth maintains a fully trained and equipped dive rescue team to be able to respond immediately to any incident on or under the water.
Over the years Yarmouth Fire Department divers have responded to plain crashes, boating accidents, missing swimmers, car accidents and skaters who have fallen through the ice. The dive team has conducted training as well as worked on incidents with the Department of Natural Resources (Harbor Master Department) as they have larger boats and trained operators with local knowledge of the marine waters in town. The fire department dive team has also helped the Yarmouth Police Department by locating stolen property and evidence disposed of in local waters.
The Yarmouth Fire Department currently has 9 divers on the roster made up of members from each shift and one member from staff. All members of the dive team are experienced recreational divers on the outside who bring their knowledge, skills and experience to the fire department. At a minimum all divers are certified Advanced Open Water Divers. Most of the divers hold additional certifications such as Rescue Diver, Search and Recovery Diver, Dry Suit Diver, Ice Diver, Deep Diver, Master Scuba Diver and Dive Master.
The Fire Department converted an old ambulance into Squad 50 a dive team truck. Squad 50 is equipped with equipment for surface and subsurface water rescue. The dive team also operates Boat 40A an 18ft ridged hull inflatable rescue boat and 40B a Yamaha Wave Runner equipped with a rescue sled.