PASO ROBLES, CA – On February 5th, 2024, the Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services Department performed rescue boat training in the Salinas River near the intersection of Navajo Ave and Rio Ct. in Paso Robles.

Over the past 5 years, the department has responded to numerous water rescue calls in the Salinas River. After last year’s storms, the department identified options to make swift water rescues safer and more efficient. With support from Measure J-20 and the City Council, funds were allocated to implement a rescue boat program. Eleven of our firefighters have completed an intensive Swift Water Rescue Boat Operator course. This training allows the rescue boat to be available for calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As the river continues to flow you will see Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services along with our cooperating fire agencies, working in a coordinated effort to continue to practice the perishable skills only available during heavy winter storms.

Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind the public that moving water can be very dangerous. Just 6″ of moving water can sweep someone off their feet and 12″ can stall a small vehicle and move it down stream.