Fire Department Proposes Rescue Boat Purchase

WESTBROOK - Saving lives has always been a priority of the Westbrook Fire Department, a goal they feel can be further reached with the purchase of a fire rescue boat.

Westbrook Fire Department Captain Aiden Nelly gave a presentation at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting highlighting the department's need for a new rescue boat.

Nelly, who served as chairman of the committee who studied departmental needs for marine rescue, said it is obvious that the town needs a much better rescue boat than it currently owns today.

It is important that the town purchase a new rescue boat because, according to a minutes of the October 5

Westbrook Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, Assistant Chief Buck said if the boat is not purchased, the town's fire department will not be able to offer any marine services because the current boat is not safe.

Nelly said the current rescue boat has experienced damage caused by loading and unloading of passengers from other boats and the proposed rescue boat is better designed to prevent this type of damage and will allow more room to service victims.

The continuing growth of Westbrook's recreational boating area, the potential for increased mutual aid if the proposed Broadwater liquefied natural gas facility is built in Long Island Sound, the increased number of homes and industry along town waterways, and the growing needs for water protection, were the main reasons, Nelly said that rescue boat services need to continue.

Nelly also noted that the Westbrook Fire Department performs mutual aid for the U.S. Coast Guard in New London, and said Westbrook is in the unique position of being halfway between New London and New Haven.

Unlike the ability for victims to run from a burning building, those fleeing a burning boat can quickly fall victim to hypothermia and fatigue until they are safely on board a vessel, Nelly said.

The proposed rescue boat is capable of handling hazardous conditions and corrosive atmospheres and is the same type exclusively used by the New York City Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.