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Check out a recent letter from the IWRA Chairman in response to JCAR
Click here to view the Changesl put forth by the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office (highlighted areas of 48-55)
The Public Safety Diving Committee for the ILETSB has released its Public Safety Diving Standards
Updated legislative proposal for the 2009 session.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board has created a committe to define standards for Public Safety Diving.
Check out all about the new ILETSB Public Safety Diving Committee
****April 30, 2008 - Update Illinois Water Rescue Association position paper posted below!
Check out the agendas, minutes, and outcomes from the latest meetings, Here!
WHY A WATER RESCUE ASSOCIATION?
The Water Rescue Association was formed many years ago, when a need was recognized to have a forum to conduct networking, training, coordinate events and mutual aid. Importantly, legislative issues were also on the agenda.
We want all water rescue teams to participate, it does not matter if you come from Police, Fire, EMA, EMS or are fortunate to have your own Water Rescue Department –we want you!
You can still be a member of a local mutual aid group, ILEAS, MABAS, or other groups but we cover all disciplines as long as you perform water rescue and or recovery services in a professional manner.
Finding and organizing water rescue groups is a difficult task, since many teams are not networked and may not know their neighbors. Reaching out is what we try to do everyday. We would like everyone working the field to be involved in the Association.
Water Rescue is a unique emergency service requiring many years of specialized training and experience to become qualified to handle the significant operations we are ask to respond to. Training agencies like Dive Rescue International are the leading contributors to the quality of teams in North America. We in Illinois have some excellent teams and when banded together can get some great things done for our profession.
Come join us. Teams can join for $100 a year and get enrolled in the Illinois Water Rescue Alarm System, for that. If you don’t want to be part of the Alarm system you can be listed in the Association for free, just fill out the below data fields and forward it.
Safe Diving
Terry Trueblood
Board Chairman
Welcome to the Illinois Water Rescue Association web site. With the goal of uniting Police, Fire, and Stand-alone Dive Rescue/Recovery Teams across the state, and across traditional field-specific boundaries, the association hopes to unite all teams to share and discuss common goals and ideas about public safety as it relates to water rescue. As well as to allow all agencies to communicate openly and effectively across the board in a positive and effective manner.
ILLINOIS WATER RESCUE ASSOCIATION
UPDATED POSITION PAPER 04-30-08
SENATE BILL 2750
The Illinois Water Rescue Association after several meetings with stakeholder groups reluctantly must take the follow updated position on SB2750.
1.) We strongly oppose this bill. Under existing language it creates a windfall to the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) in that 80% (+ or -) of the funds derived from the bill will be used for operations other that water rescue and recovery services. Areas such as Haz Mat groups, Technical Rescue and general MABAS operations would be funded from this potential Water Rescue fund.2.) The taxpayer would be somewhat duped into believing that his additional fee added to a boat registration would be used for underwater rescue and recovery services, but in fact most would not be.
3.) MABAS is unwilling to fully cooperate as an equal partner with other disciplines that provide underwater rescue and recovery service, i.e. police, sheriff’s, Emergency management agencies and stand alone governmental dive teams.
4.) The bill will negatively affect Department of Natural Resources. Loss of funding could jeopardize operations within that important “waterborne” enforcement agency, which is critical element of water rescue and recovery services in Illinois.
5.) Talks with MABAS have been less than forthcoming and money and control issues seem to be at the top of the problem areas.
6.) In concert with other agencies and organizations the IL. Water Rescue Association looks forward to presenting a clean bill that will truly address the needs of struggling underwater rescue and recovery teams in the next legislature.
Respectfully,
Terry Trueblood – Chairman
Board of Directors
IL Water Rescue Association
UPDATES FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Fellow Water Rescue Professionals, 02-14-08
In the course of 25 years of working in this field and traveling around North America teaching Public Safety Diving programs I have found a few common links which I would like to share with you.
1. We in the Water Rescue/Recovery field are a “very special” group of professionals, whether from a police, fire, EMS or other background we have chosen to join an even more elite group than original agency. We are in another family known as Water-Rescue!
2. I have noted a slow but steady emergence of the Water Rescue organizations as “stand alone” entities, not beholding to a police or fire department. This I believe is due to the different and unique needs of our groups. There seems to be an understanding that this is “another public safety field” not a subsection of fire, police or EMS, but uniquely its own family.
3. I have seen the struggle of new teams for funding which seems to be a common thread among all teams. Always begging for leftover scraps from the “other public safety departments”. Along with that I have seen a great deal of pride for the conquest of that struggle.
4. I am finding a great desire among teams to be accepted as a full fledged emergency services; as such many organizations are getting themselves accredited with numerous groups to show their achievements in the field.
5. The has been a growing understanding that to be a Dive Rescue Team, takes MUCH more than a few firemen learning to scuba dive at the local scuba shop. A realization that specialized training from agencies such as Dive Rescue International and others is the best way to assure safety and success amongst our teams.
6. Lastly, an aggressive approach to standing up for what due this type of professional is happening. This starts with networking in organizations and dealing with State wide legislative issues.All in all the state of the Water Rescue/ Recovery field is making great progress, but education of local officials and other public safety organizations is needed in a significant way. I encourage all Water Rescue professionals to step up and speak with Senators and Representatives of both the State and Federal level, to let them know you have issues and need to be included in decisions that affect our industry.
Safe and Successful Diving,
Terry Trueblood
Board Chairman
We are always trying to implement tons of NEW features and areas of interest, so check out the different areas of this web site and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments. Be sure to check out a letter from the board chairman and some different Pictures of area agencies training and interacting around the state.
Check out a video of the 2006 Illinois Water Rescue Alarm System - mock incident,
featuring several IWRA agencies working together seamlessly.
Last update 10/15/08
Questions or Comments?
Email webmaster@illinoiswaterrescue.org