205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 06/21/2016 - The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office received a grant from the Law and Justice Council to obtain and deploy emergency water rescue throw ropes to local law, fire and EMS personnel.
Many times responders arrive to a victim in the river before rescue boats can be launched. Rescue throw ropes are utilized from the shore to reach victims who are floating downstream after being separated from their boat or falling in. This week, responders from the Sheriff's Office, Ellensburg Police, Washington State Patrol and County Fire and Rescue are being trained in proper technique and safety when deploying the throw ropes. Deputies in dry suits will be in the water as victims simulating various rescue scenarios The goal is to have a water rescue throw rope in every emergency vehicle that may need to respond to a swift water rescue situation. With the hot weather approaching and increased numbers of floaters on the river, this training and equipment may help save lives. (photos include swift water rescue boat, fire and law personnel during training)
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
###
Contact: Sheriff Gene Dana 509-962-7615 gene.dana@co.Kittitas.wa.us