The Yakima, Naches and Tieton rivers seem like ideal spots to cool off and find respite from the summer heat.
Inevitably, people see the shallow, cold waters and overlook the ever-present risks, which can be invisible to those without proper training. When emergency situations arise, local water rescue teams quickly spring into action.
“We have enough calls per year that we could do 12 to 20 water rescue dispatches per year,” said city firefighter and rescue trainer Brian Robertson. “That’s as many dispatches to water rescues as some departments run structure fires.” Those numbers speak to the importance of the city of Yakima and Yakima County’s experienced, well-equipped water rescue teams, which provide a critical public service.