EMA/SAR completes Swiftwater II training

Several members from Rabun County Search and Rescue traveled to Fathom Academy in north Austin, Texas and underwent the most advanced course of swift water training.

Fathom Academy is the first indoor swift water rescue training facility of its kind anywhere in the world where emergency responders can train for rescue scenarios. A pool of water replicates the flow, rise and temperature of a flood situation.

Local EMA/SAR members who previously completed the first round of the Swift Water Technician Level I training, which teaches first responders the basic skills when it comes to water rescue operations, were able to complete the second-course offering of the more advanced Swift Water Technician Level II training.

According to the course listing, rescue officials learned incident command basics, pre-planning and site surveying for a flood, basic hydrology, and various simulated underwater rescue operations.

Fathom Academy is similar to a movie set. Thunder, rain, lighting and even cries for help are often simulated so that first responders are training in as a close to an emergency situation as possible.

The design of the facility and training scenarios were recreated with help from those who experience these situations first hand.

According to EMA/SAR Director Micheal Mazarky, “after all of their hard work, they earned their Swift Water Tech II certification. This was a very challenging class both mentally and physically and our team performed outstandingly. We continue to train so that we can serve this great county of ours.”