Chattanooga now has a Swiftwater Rescue Team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Fire Department announced on Friday it has a new Swiftwater Rescue Team.

The team is made up of 26 firefighters who learned new skills to make rescues in certain water scenarios.

CFD Swiftwater Rescue Team. Chattanooga Fire Department

These firefighters have new gear and five new boats.

CFD said they recently spent several days training on the Hiwassee River.

Swiftwater training. Chattanooga Fire Department

They learned several skills, such as flipping a capsized boat and swimming in a swift current.

The fire department said it plans to accredit the team through the State of Tennessee. It is currently deployable with the Tri-State Mutual Aid Association.

Their training will continue, but the firefighters are “prepared to respond to incidents in Chattanooga and beyond,” the fire department said.

Swiftwater training. Chattanooga Fire Department