Fresno firefighters train for water rescues, preach safety as summer weather arrives

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- As temperatures climb, people are finding different ways to beat the heat but, if you're not careful, some could be deadly.

Close to 3 weeks away from the official start of summer, temperatures are already in the triple digits.

Whether you're heading to the pool or river, finding a way to cool off is moving its way up the priority list

"Especially when it gets hot and kids are out of school they look at the canal and think 'oh, it looks nice' but, really, it's s dangerous place to be," Fresno Fire Department Capt. Tim Fulmer explained.

Fresno firefighters spent Friday conducting rescue boat operations and training for swift water rescues.

"The city of Fresno has a lot of canals that run in and out," Fulmer said. Some run through city streets. We have the San Joaquin river to the north of us."

But when it comes to rivers, lakes and even canals looks can be deceiving.

"The middle section of the water actually moves a lot faster so when you jump in it's going to suck you downstream," Fulmer said.

"The water moves really fast, and I think a lot of people underestimate the power of the water," Justin Simmons with the Fresno Fire Department said.

The training may come as a refresher course for most firefighters, but Simmons put these skills to use last month.

Video from the department shows their latest rescue in central Fresno.

Simmons helped pull a 40-year old woman to safety after falling in a canal, while dive team members used ropes and cables to pull the woman out of the fast-moving water.

"The adrenaline is pumping and our thoughts are just to do it safely and efficiently," he said.

It's a thought process he says is standard for answering calls to service.

The Kings River flowing out of Pine Flat Lake is ideal for swift water training.

"We want to be able to train at the worst-case scenarios when it comes time to actually perform," Fulmer said.