Tuesday, February 5th, 2019
Boating group to leave 911 calls on lake to Celina F.D.
By William Kincaid
CELINA - Now that the Celina Fire Department has a rescue vessel, the U.S. Freshwater Boaters Alliance is relinquishing its role in responding to 911 calls on Grand Lake.
The Celina Fire Department/EMS late last year took possession of its custom-built vessel that will assist with rescue, medical treatment and recovery operations on Grand Lake. As such, USFBA volunteer members feel they can hand those duties over to emergency responders.
"Thanks to this investment and commitment by the city of Celina, USFBA volunteers can return to their original rules of engagement," alliance member Jeff Marcum said in a news release. "Following our motto of 'when we're boating, we're patrolling,' USFBA members will keep an eye out for boaters in distress when we are on the water, will continue to communicate and coordinate via radio, and continue other activities in support of safe boating."
Both Celina Fire Chief Doug Wolters and Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey confirmed they feel comfortable with the fire department's ability to respond effectively to calls for assistance on the lake, especially since Celina firefighters/EMS personnel will be backed by rescuers from the Montezuma Fire Department, which has a boat docked at Windy Point.
Grey in 2016 had turned over his office's nonemergency boating calls to the USFBA, a nonprofit boating organization that promotes safety on Grand Lake, because his office's aging boat had been sidelined by mechanical issues.
"The boaters alliance did a great job," Grey told the newspaper.
Marcum said his group responded to 29 911 calls in 2017 and 15 in 2018. Members made themselves available 24-7 to go out on these calls, which varied in nature, usually involving boaters distressed in one way or another. Members this year will return to their original mission of promoting boating safety on the lake through classes, vessel checks and being on the lookout while on the lake.
USFBA, formed by former members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in February 2013, consists of many close-knit volunteers who maintain an almost-constant presence on the lake throughout the boating season. When on the lake, the boaters are on patrol, ready to help people in distress. The members can, among other things, provide a tow. However, they don't enforce laws or wear uniforms.
According to the latest statistics, USFBA in 2017 logged 1,138 total patrol hours and towed 27 boats to safe harbor, compared with 10 boats in 2014, according to an annual service report.
"Once again, we supported the local community by participating in Freedom Days. We provided free pontoon rides to more than 1,000 people. And we provided perimeter security for all GLSM community fireworks displays," the 2017 report states. "All in all, our members spent 860 hours working community events and drove over 6,900 miles in their personal vehicles."
Moreover, USFBA, working with the state, provided support for dredge line moves, removed floating debris and marked stumps detected through side-scan sonar for removal.
With some members certified by the U.S. Power Squadron, USFBA conducts U.S. Coast Guard safety checks on any type of boat seen on the 13,500-acre Grand Lake.
