BFD reduces response times with swift water rescue teams patrolling Lake Ming

Latest Kern County, California and US &amp; world news from 23ABC in Bakersfield, Calif.

Transcript

00:00 Many Bakersfield families are out here enjoying the Labor Day weekend,

00:03 however these Bakersfield firefighters are ready to swing into action.

00:06 When it's time to save a life or prevent danger in Lake Ming,

00:13 Bakersfield Fire Captain Ben Hengler says an increase in staff allows for swift water

00:22 rescue teams to patrol various areas. You want me to tether you or? No we're good.

00:27 They're not just cruising around. We always take the opportunity to train if we can,

00:31 so while we're out here patrolling we'll perform maneuvers that we would utilize in a rescue

00:39 situation. Hengler says this is a unique year because of the abundance of rain that came.

00:44 That has resulted in various water levels providing a different dynamic when it comes to rescues.

00:49 The biggest thing is just being able to be adaptable, being dynamic in terms of our

00:55 responses and our equipment and how we use different equipment. Being mentally prepared

01:02 to be doing things on the fly and changing up tactics quickly in an environment that

01:08 changes almost by the second. While he didn't have an exact number yet for rescues this weekend,

01:14 Hengler said they did see some action on the water. We always hope that you know we don't

01:18 have to rescue anybody that means everybody's been safe, but I like to say that if there is

01:23 an opportunity I hope that I can be there to help. You know at the end of the day it's just

01:30 helping somebody just as if you were to you know help someone on the side of the road that was

01:35 stranded, but it's very rewarding, fulfilling to be able to help somebody in a time of need like that.

01:42 While Captain Hengler expects river rescue numbers to slow down a bit

01:49 during the winter months, he says they'll be ready to go year-round.

01:52 Steve Vian, 23 ABC News, connecting you.