Portage FD Water Rescue, Search and Recovery Team

05/31/2026

Recently, the Portage Fire Department's Water Rescue Team conducted their annual "Boat Operators Week" training, where operators refined their skills in sonar operation, navigation, vessel handling, anchoring, towing, and firefighting operations. The training also focused on integrating a new team member, bringing them up to speed on the vessel's capabilities and operations. The final day of training included a joint exercise with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Michigan City and other law enforcement agencies, focusing on basic boat operations. This collaborative training approach enhances understanding of each agency's capabilities, ensuring seamless coordination during emergency responses.

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Weather can change quickly when you're on the water. Marine1 today heading back to the marina. Pictures were taken at the entrance to the Burns Waterway one looking East and one West as the storms approached.

05/17/2026

Just because the air temperature is warm doesn't mean the water is! Cold water can shock the body and cause hypothermia quickly.

05/03/2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026 members of the Portage FD Water Rescue Team, on duty Battalion Chief and on duty crew from Station #2 joined members of the Portage VFW Post 7760 to clean up the beach and trails at Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk. A great team effort to help beautify our National Park for all to enjoy! Afterwards members of the Water Rescue Team showed the VFW members the equipment carried in Marine 3 and explained how we respond to calls for service.

03/27/2026

Marine 1 is in the water for the season. Team members washed, waxed and loaded equipment onto the fireboat, then took it out on the Burns Waterway to test components and work on navigation. Marine 4 also joined the training navigating upstream to see how far the watercraft could make it in case of an emergency in those areas.

02/17/2026

Yesterday afternoon the Portage Fire Department along with the Water Rescue Team and mutual aid companies were called to the area of Portage Lakefront and River Walk for a boat possibly occupied stuck in the ice. Arriving crews discovered a small fishing boat at the entrance to the Burns Waterway sitting idle in the water surrounded by large ice chunks. The occupants were not injured. After communicating with the fire dept crews on scene, the occupants were able to start their motor and slowly navigate back thru the ice and into the Burns Waterway. This event potentially could have turned into a rescue situation if the boaters were not able to navigate thru the ice while darkness was quickly approaching.

This a reminder to fishermen navigating out onto Lake Michiagn at this time of year to go fishing. Check the weather forecast before departing, be observant of the ice conditions on the Lake especially near the shore and the entrance to marinas and waterways. What might be clear in the morning can change quickly with winds or waves. Keep a phone with you and wear proper clothing and a life jacket. There are not many options for rescue if you get stuck in the ice on the Lake.

02/01/2026

Please stay off the shelf ice on Lake Michigan.

01/30/2026

Portage FD Water Rescue Team completed their annual I.A.D.R.S. Watermanship test this month. The test consists of 5 different events: 500 yd swim, 15 min tread, 800 yd snorkel swim, 100 yd inert diver tow and dive to retrieve a weight from at least 9ft. This is an annual test required of our team members to gauge their physical fitness in the water.

01/13/2026

A great example of teamwork! Not the outcome wanted but a valiant effort by all agencies.