TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Beaches in Two Rivers are now safer, thanks to a jet ski designed to be used in emergency rescues.
“Our beaches were getting busier, and we had more of a need for response for emergencies in the water. We quickly found out, once we started doing it more frequently, that the equipment we had — we were ill-equipped,” said Chad Kakes, the assistant director of fire operations.
“This jet ski, it’s a huge tool to have for our department. With conditions like we get here on one of Wisconsin’s best beaches, this helps us navigate the surf where our boat makes it a lot harder. You take waves over it and it’s just much harder to navigate the surf,” said Clay Kautzer, a firefighter and paramedic.
A statement from the Two Rivers Police Department reads, “The ability to use the jet ski as part of this joint water rescue team is a great resource for keeping those using our waterways safe. While all of our officers are trained in various levels of water rescue, and are typically first on scene, having this team with the jet ski provides an additional resource to help save lives.”
What might a rescue look like?
It’s not just a regular jet ski.
“It’s got 200 horsepower, but we also need to add things that aid in the rescue, which is the rescue sled on the back of it, and we also put a collar around it and that gives us more stability than a jet ski would have,” said Kakes.
Those on the team must first go through rigorous training.
This training was based off what ocean safety does in Hawaii. The class consisted of, for the city of Two Rivers Fire Department, was a 10-hour day, and we had four of those.
But even before that, they must prove they’re physically capable.
“We require each of the people gaining access to the program to go through a physical agility test. The physical agility test consists of a 500 meter run, backed up with a 500 meter swim, and they have to do that within 20 minutes,” said Kakes.
The jet ski is dispatched via a 911 call. After that, Kautzer says it takes just a few minutes to get the jet ski into the water.
