Phoenix first responders prepare for water rescues ahead of monsoon season

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona’s monsoon season brings much-needed rain to the Valley, but sometimes, these storms can create fast-moving waters that can be deadly.

“When it comes, it comes really fast,” said Kim Gathers with the Phoenix Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management.

It’s why Phoenix Fire and Phoenix Police are getting ready for disaster before it strikes. Every year, dozens of special operations first responders come together to simulate a swift water rescue.

“We train at a very high-risk level, so when we get these events, we’re more than prepared for it,” said Capt. Bobby Dubnow of Phoenix Fire’s Special Operations. “It’s a really unique opportunity for us to simulate vehicles or other potential rescue scenarios in a water environment.”

In the Central Arizona Project canal, firefighters swim to an inflatable boat simulating victims stuck in a stranded vehicle in a flooded wash area. Air rescue techs then hop into a helicopter and come to the rescue.

Techs are slowly lowered out of the helicopter to the victim, who is then put into a hoist and lifted to safety. It’s a very tactical operation, and all the first responders need years of training to perform these rescues.

“There’s always a lot of precision involved in these rescues. That’s why we train for this pretty frequently. Specifically, with these water rescue situations, our target is a lot smaller,” said Dan Letham, a pilot with the Phoenix Police Department Air Support Unit.

While first responders do their due diligence to keep the community safe, they also remind people not to cross into flooded areas. It only takes about six inches of water to sweep a car away.

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