Story by Shay Wessol / Photos by Gene Dalton

The Roanoke Times

Steve Forren perched on a rock in the middle of McCoy Falls and watched as nearly two dozen firefighters and rescue squad members bobbed past, floating feet first through the white-water rapids.

Forren, a swift-water rescue instructor and rescuer for Roanoke County, kept a practiced eye on the calm spots downstream. Each time a rescuer floated past one of the spots without beginning a hard swim toward shore, he yelled for all he was worth.

"Roll over! Roll over and swim, baby!" Forren hollered over the water's roar.

It may have looked like play, but throughout last weekend, the New River Valley rescuers learned to read the water, the obstacles beneath it and how to maneuver themselves and a victim through fast-moving currents.

A year after New River Valley rescuers banded together to learn swift-water rescue techniques, the regional team is making strides toward fulfilling its goals. Last weekend's training got the first wave of volunteers certified in swift-water rescue techniques.

From here, they will continue training and training and training.

	Training for life and death
	Roanoke Times photo by Gene Dalton See more photos

"I've just made them dangerous. They now have some training with absolutely no practice," Forren said.

It's the practice - countless hours spent honing their skills - that will one day save someone's life.

Public safety agencies have long known the drowning risks of the water-rich New River Valley, and nearly every rescue squad and fire department has boats, divers and water-rescue specialists at its disposal.

But the true threat and frustration of swift-water conditions didn't hit home until Feb. 22, 2003, when a father and son were swept into the North Fork of the Roanoke River near Elliston as they tried to reach a truck caught in flood water. Stewart Quesenberry of Merrimac and his son, Brian Quesenberry, 30, clung to trees for several hours as local rescuers tried in vain to reach them as they waited for Salem's swift-water rescue team, the only such team in Southwest Virginia and busy with calls in its own community, to arrive. Salem's team was able to pluck both men from the churning river, but Brian Quesenberry died a few hours after being pulled from the icy water.

In the aftermath, frustrated rescuers came together and agreed to set up a regional swift-water rescue team involving as many New River Valley agencies as were interested. A regional approach, they reasoned, would allow smaller, volunteer fire departments to pool their resources to cover the expense of training and equipping team members.

Eight agencies hopped on board to form the New River Valley Water Rescue and Recovery Association.

One day, when the training is complete, the group will be able to change its name to include the coveted words "swift water rescue."

That won't happen overnight, Radford Fire Chief Lee Simpkins said.

Even though the first wave of rescuers are now certified as "swift water technicians," they're working with a new skill. Practice and experience will hone their abilities. Plus, other members of the team, including the boat operators, must also be certified, Elliston Fire Chief Pug Wells said.

How long it will all take is anyone's guess, Wells said.

"I can't give you an answer on that," he said. "But it's progressed rapidly, and I'm proud of them for that."

Salem's team, for example, trained and stockpiled equipment for three years before they announced they were able to perform swift-water rescues, said Forren, who started Salem's effort and now works for Roanoke County Fire and EMS.

Although the New River Valley's group formed under a very public spotlight, the group is quick to recognize its limitations, Simpkins said.

"The first thing we had to do was get equipment that keeps our people safe first," he said. "Once we can do that, then we can train and practice to rescue someone else."

The eight departments have already spent a combined $53,000 on equipment such as new boats designed for swift water, life vests and helmets.

"There's nothing cheap about swift water rescue," said Louisa Gay of the Blacksburg Rescue Squad. "And these are not the bells and whistles. These are just the bare necessities."

The eight participating departments have also sent people to beginner-level classes on the dangers of swift water and how to help victims from the shore.

For some, that will be the extent of their training.

The group is made up of the Blacksburg Rescue Squad, the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, the Elliston Fire Department, the Giles County Lifesaving Crew, Longshop-McCoy Fire and Rescue, Radford Fire and Rescue, Pulaski County's Regional EMS Inc. and the Shawsville Rescue Squad.

Some, like Blacksburg, don't have any large bodies of water to worry about in their territories but still want to lend a hand to the effort.

"We do have an interest in it. Even though we may never have a need for a swift water rescue, per se, we all enjoy getting out and helping other rescue squads," said Gay, vice president of the Blacksburg Rescue Squad and the association's secretary. "If we have the ability to help, we will, even if we're only backup support."

Other rescue squad members, like those from Longshop-McCoy, worry daily about the New River and McCoy Falls, a strong class II rapid and popular tubing spot. Longshop-McCoy put seven volunteers in last weekend's swift water technicians class.

"That's our major focus," said Capt. Steve Shelor of the Longshop-McCoy Rescue Squad. "We don't have any industry. We don't have an interstate."

Dave Mondy, owner of New River Junction at McCoy Falls, which caters to tubers, said he has emphasized river safety since he opened his tubing business 23 years ago. "Everything's safety conscious, that's our No. 1 priority," he said.

Although he hasn't heard much about the swift water rescue effort, Mondy said the new training will be an asset to everyone along the falls.

"I think it's a great idea," he said. "It's something that's been needed for some time."

From here, the New River Valley Water Rescue and Recovery Association members plan to continue training and fund-raising to buy needed equipment.

Simpkins would also like to raise enough money to buy every firefighter and rescue squad member a rope bag - a rescue tool that costs $55 each - to carry in their cars. Rescuers toss the bags to victims in the water, and the rope uncoils as the bag's in flight, allowing the victim to be pulled to shore.

Having a rope bag would allow the first volunteer to reach the scene to begin the rescue operation, Simpkins said.

"I'm a firm believer and I know that smoke detectors save lives," Simpkins said. "Throw bags will one day save a life, too."

The association should also find ways to talk to residents about the dangers of water and the importance of wearing life jackets, he said.

"We have to get out there and try to do a better job of promoting water safety," Simpkins said. "They may not listen to us, but at least we know we gave it our best shot.""I'm a firm believer and I know that smoke detectors save lives. Throw bags will one day save a life, too."