River News Now Breaking News Travel

Port Angeles, Washington - During three days last week, northwest Washington first responders earned Swift water Rescue Technician 1 certificates by challenging the frigid Elwha River to learn to keep themselves safe and rescue would-be victims.

Agents from the Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma, and Rescue Team (BORSTAR) delivered a Rescue 3 International Swift Water Rescue Technician 1 course. This is the minimum level of national certification required to perform Swiftwater rescues in the United States. The course consisted of classroom, dry land, and swift water exercises designed to teach moving water fundamentals, self rescue and victim rescue techniques.

	Participants in rescue training fight the current of the Elwha River north of Seattle.

“Helping keep our citizens and communities safe is one of our goals,” said Todd McCool, patrol agent in charge of the Port Angeles Border Patrol station. “Partnering with local first responders, helps us reach this goal.”

Border Patrol agents from the Blaine sector attended the course with the focus on learning the skills needed to address swift water emergencies that occur within their areas of operation. Agents were issued the necessary equipment to conduct safe water rescues and assist local rescuers in conducting rescue operations.

BORSTAR, a national program, provides law enforcement, search, rescue and medical response capabilities and mutual assistance to local, county, state, tribal and other federal entities.