SLC firefighters practice underwater vehicle rescues | News

SALT LAKE CITY - Salt Lake City firefighters practiced underwater rescues on Friday.

Fire crews practiced pulling a car out of the water in a Jordan River surplus canal near 2100 South Redwod Road in Salt Lake City.

They practiced several different types of rescues using complex rope and boat systems.

"If the car is submerged then priority is to get that victim out of the vehicle as quickly as possible before they drown. Many times, what we come across is the scenario is what we have here this morning where you have injured people inside a vehicle, inside the river," said Cpt. Bruce Healy, SLC FD.

Prior to going in the water, the practice vehicle was pressure washed, had all the fluids drained and the engine and fuel tank removed to protect the environment.