Swift Water Rescue Training Facility Opens In Oriskany

Training began on Monday at the newly completed Swift Water Flood Training Center located at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany.

The state-of-the-art facility is the only training center of its kind dedicated to training the state's fire, law enforcement and EMS responders on the technical skills necessary to perform water rescues.

The facility includes a three-acre pond, a concrete swift water channel and an urban flood simulator to allow rescue personnel to train in flooded streets and buildings.

There are over 100,000 firefighters in 1,800 departments and 66,500 police officers in 580 departments across New York that can use this facility to perform rescue operations in swift water or flooding scenarios, including:

• Individuals trapped inside, or on the roof of a flooded building.
• Motorists stranded or trapped by rising flood waters
• Individuals trapped in swift water conditions

"The completion of this advanced training center is a major step forward in our efforts to ensure first responders across the state are equipped with the expertise needed to protect New York's communities," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "As we prepare for the uncertainties of extreme weather, this unique facility will help provide the best training possible to keep New Yorkers safe."

It's part of a $42 million capital improvement project at the training center.