Waterbury Fire Department firefighters took to Lakewood Lake on Sunday to practice water rescues.
Battalion Chief Sean Maynard told FOX 61 News that now is a perfect time to train.
“It's important that we practice our skills to assist our citizens during the busy Labor Day holiday season. And you know, making sure that we're ready to respond to any water rescues that might occur,” said Maynard.
After floodwaters devastated parts of the state last month, the annual training became an even higher priority.
The training highlighted two key scenarios: pulling a struggling victim to safety from the shore, and first responders going out via a motor boat to save a drowning swimmer.
“We want people to come and enjoy all of our recreational facilities, but we just want them to be safe and we want them to go home at the end of the day,” said Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski, Jr.