GREENVILLE, Pitt County — Water is part of the beauty of Eastern North Carolina, but it can also be one of its greatest dangers. On Wednesday, emergency responders from across the region participated in water rescue training so they’re prepared for anything.

From flooding caused by tropical storms and hurricanes to recreational boaters and swimmers, first responders can face a variety of emergencies on the water. The point of these trainings, like this one at Wildwood Park in Greenville, is to prepare as many first responders as possible for anything.

“First, build relationships, and second, have fun, but pay attention and learn something.” says Captain Brad Johnston of the Greenville Fire and Rescue Department.

The main goal of the first day of a three-day training course for local officials was learning.

At Wildwood Park in Greenville, fire and rescue personnel from New Bern and Greenville joined state agencies in conducting water rescue training. Brad Johnston, captain of the Greenville Fire and Rescue Department, says such a course is needed in Eastern Carolina.

“Here in the East we have a lot of flooding and sometimes resources are scarce. So when several people and several agencies can work together, it helps the citizens,” says Johnston.

The water rescue consisted of three components: rescue from the shore, rescue from the boat and EMS training. The focus was on the safe recovery of the victims from the water and their medical care.

Johnston says while the goal is to get the job done, they also make sure to stay safe while doing so.

“We want to protect the rescuers as much as possible. So if we can prevent them from getting into the water, we can,” says Johnston.

The water rescue exercise involved 50 participants, including Lee Kennedy, a fire chief from Faison, North Carolina, who conducted a rescue mission during Hurricane Florence in 2018.

“So there are a lot of unknowns in rescue missions. For example, here we can see the water and see where we are going. If you go into a swamp, you can see what obstacles there are. There are also a lot of dangers in the environment. We have to go through thorn bushes. We had spiders in the water.” says Faison Fire Chief Lee Kennedy.

Johnston says that when environmental disasters occur, all agencies work together and that these trainings not only prepare all agencies but also help build relationships.