The Dunkirk Water Rescue Team consists of members from the Dunkirk Fire and Police Departments.  Thanks to numerous donations and grants, The Water Rescue Team is well equipped to handle water emergencies in the Chadwick Bay region of Lake Erie.  All members of the team are certified SCUBA divers and have spent countless hours training.

The Water Rescue Team operates Boat 1, a 21' Zodiac Hurricane with Twin 90 hp. Four Stroke Honda Motors.  Boat 1 was purchased via surplus from the United States Coast Guard.  The Water Rescue Team is fortunate to have Boat 1 moored at Holiday Harbor at Chadwick Bay yearly during the boating season.  In the off season, Boat 1 is kept at Station 3.  Boat 1 has been very useful as a quick response vessel to many emergencies when time is a big factor. 

In 2007, the Dive Team was fortunate enough to use a new personal watercraft donated by Appolson's Performance in Hamburg, NY.  In 2008, and the following years the team has been greatly fortunate to receive 2 new personal watercrafts, again compliments of Appolson's.  These vessels are stored either on a tandem trailer and are ready to respond from Station 3, or on their floating dock at the Chadwick Bay Marina.  Also in the past, The Water Rescue Team has received a grant from the Kosciuszko Club which was used to purchase a GPS system for Boat 1.

The Dive Team has spent countless hours training and on incidents.  Some training activities include projects for the city's Department of Public Works, and Dive Training with the CCWET team and State Police Dive Team. 

 

Dunkirk Water Rescue Team Members

Fire Department

Team Captain Tony Thomas

Gary Katta

Patrick Ossman

Jared Meyer

Robert Thompson

Dan Meder

Josh Szukala

Devin Freitas

Police Department

Steve Zentz

Robert Fred

Ed Paluch

Doug Switzer

*Matt Hazelton