New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“First responders strengthen water rescue capabilities!
The Town of Lakeville boasts nearly 7 square miles of fresh water or more than 18% of our entire jurisdiction area. Our ponds are an incredible resource and they help make Lakeville a premier place to live.
Our ponds, like any other body of water, can also become a hazard to anyone enjoying them.
Lakeville Fire Department photo.
The Lakeville Fire and Police Departments have been working to enhance our capabilities to respond to water rescue incidents. Through new training and equipment and with the support of town leaders, our first responders are better able to respond to any water related incident.
The police/fire partnership is a coordinated effort; our capabilities and procedures are designed to complement each other and answer the requirements of the mission in an efficient way.
In addition to traditional law enforcement patrols, the Lakeville Police Department is able to conduct complex search and rescue operations with their patrol boat. The vessel is equipped with side scan and advanced 360 Sonar technology, which will enable rescuers to locate submerged victims quickly. The Lakeville Police Department also boasts a well-equipped, very active, and well-trained dive team to assist with recoveries and rescues.
Lakeville Fire Department photo.
The Lakeville Fire Department water rescue response is configured for rapid deployment and intervention. The Fire Department operates a lightweight inflatable boat, that can be quickly launched from any shoreline. Fire Department responders regularly train on surface rescue techniques and utilize a handheld sonar device to locate submerged victims. Fire department rescuers are quickly able to change roles and provide advanced medical services to any rescued victim.
Together, the Departments provide an effective and diversified water rescue response capability.
Request for assistance: Lakeville first responders are working to identify and evaluate potential boat launch sites around our many ponds. As many understand, there are very few boat launch sites around our Town. Having a response plan that captures all of the best locations to launch a boat will provide a significant improvement to our response capability.
If you are aware of a potential boat launch site that we may not be aware of, please contact responders at lakevillefdma@gmail.com. We will be sure to evaluate the site for emergency use. Please share this request!”
