Wallington scuba squad teams with Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Wyckoff firefighters in emergency reservoir training

PUBLIC SAFETY: With daily boat and kayak rentals now being run on the North Haledon Reservoir, the Wallington Fire Department Emergency Squad Scuba Team, along with firefighters from Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff are conducting special rescue training this week.

Photo Credit: *Courtesy Wallington Fire Department Emergency Squad Scuba Team*

Jerry DeMarco

08/05/2015 5:57 p.m.

The reservoir’s purchase by the borough of Franklin Lakes prompted local firefighters to establish procedures and training, while bringing in the dive team to check the waterway’s conditions.

Last night they helf the first of two sessions at the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve to discuss and share information about each agency’s capabilities and procedures.

They’re scheduled to return tonight to train on the water, with the Wallington squad demonstrating a full underwater rescue/recovery dive operation.

The all-volunteer Wallington Scuba Team is run by the borough’s Emergency Squad from within the Fire Department and relies on donations.

To become certified as a rescue diver members must undergo intense and lengthy training — and continue doing so to maintain their skills.

The borough bought the 147-acre preserve — with its lagoon, upper lake and lower pond — from the borough of Haldeon for $6.5 million in 2006, using funding from Green Acres and the Bergen County Open Space Fund.

PHOTOS: Courtesy Wallington Fire Department Emergency Squad Scuba Team

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