Valley Independent Sentinel

Derby Storms Inherit Dive Equipment

by Eugene Driscoll | Feb 26, 2012 10:04 am

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Posted to: Derby

The Derby Storm Ambulance and Rescue Corps will be receiving the equipment from the recently dissolved Derby Fire Department Dive Team.

Fire Commissioner Kelly Curtis disbanded the fire department’s dive team last month. He did so because there weren’t enough members who could keep up with the extensive training and certifications needed to keep the dive team afloat.

It was at the point where the dive team was potentially becoming a serious liability for the department if training wasn’t kept up, Curtis said.

Curtis’ goal, he told the Derby Board of Aldermen Thursday, was not to simply dissolve the team and give the dive equipment to the Derby Storms.

“That was a rumor I heard the next morning (after dissolving the team) at 8 a.m. at United Cigar,” Kelly said, referring to the venerable Elizabeth Street shop.

The dive equipment — tanks, masks, recovery equipment, wetsuits — have to go somewhere.

Donating them to the Derby Storms makes the most sense.

In addition to providing ambulance service the Derby Storms, a private entity, operates a specialized rescue truck. Its members are trained in trench rescues, vehicle extrication — and they operate a marine unit.

Derby Storms has three boats for water emergencies. One is docked off Route 34 near the Yale Boat House. A second is on a trailer at the Storms headquarters. A third is kept aboard the Storms Rescue truck.

The Storms have 10 certified drivers and three master divers, according to Chief David Lenart.

The city covers insurance for the Storms.

“We know the training standards. We know the risk. Our members are willing to do it,” Lenart said.

The Aldermen unanimously approved the donation.

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