The Boise Fire Department is always ready and able to do water rescues on the Boise River, but right now it is missing a valuable tool.
The department’s jet boat — a $30,000 Jetcraft XS SJ — was damaged during training on the river last week. The only other watercraft that BFD has is a Jet Ski, and that was also damaged recently.
The timing for this is lousy: The department uses the jet boat to clear the river of trees and other debris before the start of every float season.
“We’re not really sure how that’s going to occur this year,” Boise Fire spokeswoman Char Jackson told the Statesman Wednesday. “We’re working on a plan to clear that debris, utilizing something else.”
She said the department is not aware of any similar boats nearby that it could borrow, so it’s possible the debris removal might be contracted out .
Firefighters are well-trained to conduct water rescues using shore-based techniques, as they did exclusively before getting the jet boat in 2012.
“The shore-based rescue techniques are part of our regular occurring training within the department,” Boise Fire Division Chief of Special Operations Paul Roberts said via email.
The jet boat sustained serious damage when it smashed up against a Broadway Bridge pillar. Two firefighters had to be rescued from the boat, which was stuck.
Part of the boat was “caved in,” the pedestal was torn from the base of the boat and the engine was filled with water, Roberts said.
“The engine has been cleared of water and runs, but we do not know that it’s running properly,” he said via email.
The boat is now being evaluated by insurers to determine whether it can be repaired.
“Our goal is to have a boat back in service as soon as possible,” Roberts said. He said repair or replacement could take until late June.
The Jet Ski was damaged last month after the motor ingested debris and rope, and it is being repaired. That watercraft is more prone to damage from debris so it’s not ideal to use in high-water conditions, which the river currently has, Roberts said.
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