Portage FD Water Rescue, Search and Recovery Team

05/31/2026

Recently, the Portage Fire Department's Water Rescue Team conducted their annual "Boat Operators Week" training, where operators refined their skills in sonar operation, navigation, vessel handling, anchoring, towing, and firefighting operations. The training also focused on integrating a new team member, bringing them up to speed on the vessel's capabilities and operations. The final day of training included a joint exercise with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Michigan City and other law enforcement agencies, focusing on basic boat operations. This collaborative training approach enhances understanding of each agency's capabilities, ensuring seamless coordination during emergency responses.

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Weather can change quickly when you're on the water. Marine1 today heading back to the marina. Pictures were taken at the entrance to the Burns Waterway one looking East and one West as the storms approached.

05/17/2026

Just because the air temperature is warm doesn't mean the water is! Cold water can shock the body and cause hypothermia quickly.

05/03/2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026 members of the Portage FD Water Rescue Team, on duty Battalion Chief and on duty crew from Station #2 joined members of the Portage VFW Post 7760 to clean up the beach and trails at Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk. A great team effort to help beautify our National Park for all to enjoy! Afterwards members of the Water Rescue Team showed the VFW members the equipment carried in Marine 3 and explained how we respond to calls for service.

03/27/2026

Marine 1 is in the water for the season. Team members washed, waxed and loaded equipment onto the fireboat, then took it out on the Burns Waterway to test components and work on navigation. Marine 4 also joined the training navigating upstream to see how far the watercraft could make it in case of an emergency in those areas.