An advanced emergency response unit developed by Max Walchuk, a Chicago firefighter, was the main innovation on display at the annual conference for the 5,000 members of the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists (IADRS) held in Cleveland last week. The conference included dive teams from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries.
“It’s a credit to Chicago and its fire department that one of its own designed and developed a state-of-the-art unit for the Dive Capital of the World in Florida,” said Chief Ike Beal of the Key Largo Fire Department. “The program achieved all its administrative objectives, but its true worth is in terms of public safety for residents and visitors, as well as emergency personnel within the community—which is priceless.”
IADRS Executive Director Blades Robinson said that the unit designed in Chicago for the Water Emergency Team (W.E.T.) of Key Largo, FL, was the most advanced pieces of equipment unveiled at the event. “It represents a huge advancement in heavy-rescue response capability for waterfront emergencies,” he said.
According to Beal, the unit was designed by Key Largo Scuba Team Commander Max Walchuk who also serves as director of the island’s Air Deployment Division. Walchuk is a former executive officer on the headquarters staff of the Chicago Fire Commissioner, and is currently assigned to the department’s Air/Sea Rescue Scuba Team. Walchuk was brought in last summer as an advisor for the development of air-based helicopter deployments and specialized waterfront response units.
“We were impressed with Walchuk’s vision for larger-scale rescue response operations that would be required if a school bus or a plane went into the water or even if a cruise ship had a problem,” Beal told Inside.
“The unit Walchuk designed is defined by its large capacity,” Beal continued. “It can be outfitted for rapid-responses to a full range of drowning-type incidents making that response better.”
Maximum capacity on the truck is 24 divers, assistant divers, and equipment. The design integrates special features that help to create more rapid deployment. “For example, a side-mounted 2,000 lb. lift enables jet-powered water craft to provide in-water assistance to victims and/or emergency workers,” Beal added.
Key Largo is the largest of more than 1,700 sub-tropical islands that make up the Florida Keys archipelago off the coast of south Florida. Known as the “Dive Capital of the World,” Key Largo is centered among the waterfront meccas of Miami, the Cruise Ship Capital of the World, Miami Beach, “America’s Riviera,” Islemarada, the sport fishing capital of the world, and the cruise ship port of Key West, the southernmost city in the U.S.
“In economic terms, the truck costs more than half-a-million dollars. However, it represents a huge savings to taxpayers since it has been developed entirely through private means,” Beal said.
“One of our main missions in the state and the industry is develop an environment of safety and public awareness,” said Spencer Slate, president of the Florida Association of Dive Operators. “Such state-of-the-art equipment meshes with Florida’s attractions which are ranked high as international venues,” he says. “It’s important because it demonstrates the highest level of caring about our residents and visitors.”
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