MEMBERS OF THE EAST PIERCE WATER RESCUE TEAM divers regularly wiggle into wet suits to practice skills and techniques they learn in various water rescue training classes. Team members gain hands-on experience diving at Lake Tapps and the Puget Sound. They also practice swift water rescue on the Carbon River.

Together they review preplanning and organization, personal safety equipment, swift water dynamics and hydrology and medical considerations in water rescues. They also learned self-rescue techniques, shore-based rescues, in-water contact rescues and the role of watercraft and helicopters in swift water rescue.

The firefighters recently expanded their skills to include swift water rescues to address the hazards posed by local rivers and streams. The team already includes divers who perform underwater rescues and recoveries on Lake Tapps and other area lakes.