Reedley Fire Department Boosts Water Rescue with New 18‑Foot Boat

When the heat spikes into the triple‑digits, Reedley’s beaches fill up fast, and the town’s fire crew wanted a better way to keep everyone safe. The answer? A brand‑new 18‑foot rescue boat that rolled into the department’s fleet just in time for summer.

“Yeah, lots of people have seen it, giving us the thumbs up,” Fire Chief Michael Canales chuckled during the recent unveiling. “It’s great to have a boat that can actually get a patient on a backboard if we need to immobilize a spine.” He added that the vessel lets crews haul more personnel and equipment, making multi‑victim rescues far less chaotic.

The boat isn’t just a pretty float. It’s already seen action, helping firefighters tackle a blaze that flared up along the river. With water‑pump gear mounted on board, the crew was able to douse flames while staying safely out of the water.

Funding came from two matching $25,000 grants – one from the Sierra Kings Healthcare District and the other from the Elizabeth Vines Grant. “Seeing families enjoy the beach while we know we can jump in and help if needed feels worth every penny,” said Sierra Kings CEO Chinayera Hardaman, emphasizing the partnership’s focus on prevention over emergency room visits.

Before the boat arrived, the department relied on a pair of jet skis for water rescues. Those work fine in a foot or so of water, but the new boat can glide through six to eight inches of shallow water without trouble, reaching spots the jet skis simply can’t. “It’s a huge difference,” Canales noted, “especially if we have to get multiple patients out at once.”

The vessel won’t be cruising the lake on a schedule; it’s a call‑out‑only resource. The fire department plans a small ceremony on Tuesday to formally introduce the boat to the community, hoping the sight will reassure beachgoers that help is just a splash away.

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