New Fire Boat Increases Resident Safety

The Irving Fire Department has added its first fire boat to provide additional safety to the growing population along the shores of Lake Carolyn.

Fire boats are specialized watercrafts with pumps and nozzles designed for fighting shoreline fires. Crews from Fire Station No. 8 have received additional training on the proper use of the fire boat’s features.

“The addition of Fire Boat 8 to our firefighting arsenal allows us to better protect the residents who live around Lake Carolyn, while at the same time enhancing our rescue capabilities,” said Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Wilson. “As development of the Urban Center continues, this boat will fill an increasingly valuable role.”

Fire Boat 8 is equipped with a 1,250 GPM (gallons per minute) pump supplying a deck gun on the bow, hose outlets and fold-down sides to facilitate water rescues. It also has a 250 horsepower outboard motor to navigate around the lake and through the canals.

Posted April 1