MONTAUK, N.Y. – The Coast Guard and several Long Island fire departments will sign an agreement on Wednesday to standardize training and recovery efforts amongst the agencies.
The agreement, which will be signed during a ceremony at Montauk Fire Department at 7 p.m., was drafted to align the firefighter’s at sea training standards with those of the Coast Guard and to increase effectiveness when the agencies are working together on the water.
“Many citizens only associate the fire department with their red trucks and their activities on shore, but most fire departments also have a presence on the water,” said Capt. Joe Vojvodich, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Commander. “This agreement is a big step forward in standardizing rescue procedures and training between the Coast Guard and our partner agencies. The local fire departments are invaluable partners to the Coast Guard when responding to marine accidents,” added Vojvodich.
Twelve firefighters from the Montauk, Sag Harbor, and Shelter Island Fire Departments have already completed the Coast Guard training, which was given by Coast Guard members and conducted at Coast Guard Station Montauk. Vojvodich will be on hand, along with Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason Walter, Station Montauk Officer in Charge, to present these firefighters with their training certificates during Wednesday’s ceremony.
“This is significant because we know that the boat operators from these three fire departments are trained in basic search and rescue procedures and can work hand in hand with the Coast Guard and the local marine units,” said Walter.
