Rescue squad holds three days of training on lake

SWAGG – Randolph County Rescue Squad spent April 22-24 training on Lake Wedowee. With so much new equipment, squad members had a chance under a non-emergency situation to familiarize themselves with the equipment and be ready to go when the next call comes in.

Squad members trained on the new sonars, underwater robot, drones, search dogs and dragging. A highlight of the weekend was a wilderness rescue and man-tracking class conducted Saturday afternoon by officers with Alabama Game and Fish Division. Ben Kaiser was the lead instructor. Kaiser was the Game and Fish Officer who brought his dog down and helped the squad with the missing man up at Newell some time back.

The training sessions were held at Hidden Cove RV Park, which is owned by squad members W.C. and Debbie Pate. Squad Capt. Douglas Kirk expressed his appreciation to the Pates and to each squad member who attended the training.

Matt Knight (standing, right) and members of the Randolph County Rescue Squad go through training on Lake Wedowee.