Hall County Fire Rescue announces the addition of dive capabilities to the Marine Rescue team

After nearly a year of utilizing a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for underwater rescue, Hall County Fire Rescue will be adding dive capabilities to the Marine Rescue team to enhance rescue efforts. While the ROV has proved to be an impressive tool for underwater search, the human element to rescue will further assist in situations requiring quick rescue, especially in shallow waters and surface rescues.

"We are grateful to have such a powerful tool for our Marine Rescue team, and to combine that with the capabilities of divers, we will be able to offer the most effective service and rescue to visitors of Lake Lanier," District 2 Commissioner Billy Powell said.

In order to prevent unnecessary risk to the Marine Rescue team members, the ROV will remain the primary mode of search, as it has proven to be effective and efficient. Generally, divers will only be utilized if there is a known victim location within 30 minutes of submersion. While the ROV will primarily be used to search underwater, divers will be on standby to grab victims quickly after the ROV has located them.

"As a department, it is important to continuously review and analyze our operations and service delivery. By adding the capabilities of public safety diving, this provides a compliment to our other marine rescue resources," Fire Chief Jerry Smith said. "This is a step in the right direction, not only for the citizens and visitors of Hall County but for our team members as well."

Hall County Fire Rescue is excited about the added dive capabilities and the potential the Marine Rescue team will have with both forms of rescue tactics working in unison. The addition of dive capabilities will commence once all dive training is updated and completed.