Seattle Fire Department rescue swimmers undergo physically and mentally demanding training at various pool, lake and saltwater locations. They first complete a 40-hour Rapid Entry Rescue Swimmer program where they are taught hands-on skills on water safety, rescue and survival techniques as well as scene management. Next, they participate in a Seattle-specific training to learn how to respond on our waterfronts in collaboration with the department's other water rescue resources (rescue watercraf

Seattle firefighters recently utilized a residential structure in south Seattle provided by Blackwood Homes to conduct technical rescue training. The scenario simulated a car vs. building impact with a partial collapse, injuring the vehicle occupants and people inside the home. Firefighters were required to stabilize the structure and extricate the victims from the vehicle and the collapsed home. Setting up problems like these, in a controlled and realistic context, challenges our firefighters'