With heavy rains in the forecast, the San Antonio Fire Department’s swift water rescue team is expecting a busy weekend.
Firefighter Albert Salazar says it takes a lot of work to prepare for extreme weather – but it’s already been done.
“We’re ready to go, we’re ready to deploy at any time," says Salazar. "So it’s not like we have to get built up, we’re already built up, we’re ready to operate right now.”
That’s because the seven flat-bottom boats harbored by the department receive regular maintenance, and the departments 60 firefighters trained in water rescues practice throughout drier months.
Salazar says the SAFD works closely with the Texas Task Force, the state’s regional response unit, which increases the resources available during times of increased need.
While the department is expecting a high volume of calls this weekend, they’re hoping for none. Salazar says it’s difficult to judge flooded roadways, so as always – turn around, don’t drown.
