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DIVE
RESCUE TEAM HISTORY
The
origin of the Baltimore City Fire Department Dive Rescue
(SCUBA) Team dates back to 1974 when a handful of
dedicated members, Frank Sappe, Bill Schulze, Ron Baker
and Mike Dalton, using their own equipment were given
permission by then Chief of Fire Department, Mr. Thomas
J. Burke to provide a service to the city and the
department in SCUBA diving operations.
In 1978 a
grant from the Baltimore City Council in the amount of
$10,000.00 was received to purchase equipment. A
1969 Department of Education van was acquired and SCUBA
1 was born. The Baltimore City Fire Department Dive
Rescue Team was now a reality.
All
members operated on a fully voluntary basis including
training and due to different circumstances most have
since left the team.
In the
following years minor purchases and maintenance cost
were incurred. In 1982 approval was given to train on
duty and incidents were increasing. In 1985 a major
change took place. Due to the hazards of diving in the
harbor waters from pollutants, chemicals and other
environmental hazards, total encapsulation of the diver
became necessary. A transition from SCUBA to commercial
diving equipment began. At a cost of $15,000.00 a system
of dry operations and surface supplied air was purchased
and incorporated into the dive program.
Since
July 1, 1986 the Dive Rescue Team has responded
to over 1000 calls. The Team has also provided
maintenance service to the Fire boats, performed
community education seminars and assisted various
outside agencies, such as The United States Coast Guard,
The Department of Natural Resources, The Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Maryland State Police,
The Baltimore City Fire Department Fire Investigation
Bureau, The Baltimore City Police Department, The United
States Customs Service, and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
As of
1992 the Baltimore City Fire Department Dive Rescue Team
has become an intricate part of the makeup of the Fire
Service. With Baltimore City's ever expanding water
front properties and development, the service provided
by the team finally received the recognition it justly
deserves.
During 10
days in March of 2004, the Dive Rescue Team led the
largest assemblage of agencies ever amassed to perform a
marine rescue operation in Maryland. The objective was
to locate and recover the victims of a tragic Water Taxi
accident. Despite the multiple obstacles, the operation
proved successful, and all the victims were returned to
their families and loved ones.
DIVE RESCUE TEAM
The Dive Rescue Team is a specialized unit within the
Baltimore City Fire Department. It is a perilous
assignment, comprised of highly trained and motivated
individuals. The present strength is 16
divers, 2 surface support personnel, and 4 probationary
members. We offer annual tryouts for new members to fill vacancies. Training is a mandatory monthly occurrence at various locations on the East Coast.
We utilize dry suits because of the
necessity to dive in any temperature, and the hazmat composition of the water. We operate in Exo,
Helmet, scuba, surface supplied air,
hard-line and wireless communications. The team employs a progressive stand in the manner it conducts its missions. In recent years we have added a Remote Operated Vehicle, and Sonar Equipment to our arsenal. We have also partnered with Tyco for the use of their submarine during the Water Taxi Accident. Due to the constant development of the Baltimore marine landscape, and the homeland security threat, we must remain pro-active in our resolve to deliver the best possible team to the citizens we have sworn to serve.
Though prepared for deployment anywhere in the world, the team's main areas of coverage are the waterways of Maryland, and especially Baltimore City. Some of the waterways within the City's borders are extremely dangerous, primarily because man has altered their structure and composition. The Baltimore Harbor is a very old harbor, with everything imaginable on its floor. It has withstood everything from man's use and misuse, to invasions by the British and Isabelle. There are many unidentifiable objects we come in contact with on the channel floor, but unless deemed necessary to raise, they will remain in their watery graves.
Only individuals of sound mind and body are allowed membership on the team because of the situations encountered below the surface. The Port is unique in its age and its composition. The floor's terrain spans the gamut between 3 foot deep silt, to hardened clay. The shipping lanes have been dredged to infinity, so descending into a crater will be a invariable requirement. Below 30 feet, visibility is virtually non-existent. A standard
illuminant is useless, because of the density and composition of the water and
floor due to years of known and unknown reasons. Most of our target
acquisitions have been raised to the surface, without the divers ever viewing the bodies, because of the black water.
Most of the missions are conducted by feel and touch. The diver's remaining senses must compensate for the lack of sight. The diver's psychological state must be in optimal condition, because the floor of the channel is the equivalent to being on another planet, the diver will be alone. The diver's life will be in jeopardy, if all members aren't vigilant at their assigned positions. None of our divers ever dives -
THE TEAM DIVES. When a diver enters the water, silence is mandatory, concentration is necessary and absolute teamwork is paramount. Because failure is not an option, our safety measure are diligently adhered to. We dive as one entity, with a shared vision in mind - to complete the mission.
The
jury is still out as to the reason why an individual would seek membership on
this Team. Most likely it is the constant challenging of one's mind and
body that may be the culprit. It has never been suggested that this duty
is for everyone. There is no joy in descending to the Sea floor and returning the body of some poor soul to their love ones. It may be a unwelcomed
evil, but someone has to do it, and the Baltimore City Fire Dept. Dive Rescue Team will conceive, accept, and complete all missions. We will leave no one behind.
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