It is a manifestation of the roadblocks and chicken plates that members of Weldon’s volunteer fire department have.
On Wednesday, they put it in the water so firefighters could learn rescue techniques.
The fire department got the 15-foot inflatable boat late in December, Chief Rusty Bolt said. “They wanted one in case someone is seen in the river so they can get to them before they go under.”
This doesn’t mean the fire department is getting into the rescue business, Bolt said, it only means it will be another first responder tool.
(The fire department will be selling barbecue chicken plates at this year’s 10th annual Weldon Independence Day Celebration at River Falls Park on June 30. Plates are $7.)
Firefighters went over how to operate the boat before launching it in the river so two could jump overboard and the other two could practice throwing rescue bags to save them.
The firefighters outfitted the boat themselves. Boots Branch donated the trailer to the fire department, Bolt said. “We bought the light bars and put the lights on it. We really didn’t use a lot of money. We got $3,000 in this doing the work ourselves.”
Firefighters prepare for the launch.
Bolt said the fundraisers are important to the Weldon department, which has one paid firefighter at its two stations. “We have to have at least 28 firefighters on hand so there’s no way we can pay 28 people.”
Former Chief Richard Brown saw a need for a boat long ago, Bolt said. “Chief Brown always wanted one. Back when I was here in 1998 he talked about it.”
Bolt’s hope for using the boat is simple. “If we only take it out one time in five years and save one life it will be worth it.”
