A hot, new ride on the beach

Longboat Key Fire Rescue has taken ownership of a new rescue vehicle that will be used on area beaches to assist firefighter/paramedics in responding, caring and gaining access to patients off the beach when they’re injured or sick.  Currently the fire department does not have any such vehicle to assist personnel in arena.

The department applied for an Emergency Medical Services Matching Grant offered through the Department of Health last summer and was successful in obtaining the funding to help purchase this Polaris 6 X 6 vehicle.  Personnel designed this vehicle to fit the needs of Longboat Key as well as obtain water rescue equipment including an eleven foot rescue board to assist personnel in water rescue emergencies.

Currently the Operations Division is working on a response plan as well as training all personnel on its operations.  The department also plans to provide water rescue training to all firefighter/paramedics in the next couple months which is being funded by another grant obtained by the department, WCIND.