Lower Kiski Swift Water Rescue/Flood Response/Public Safety Dive Teams

04/13/2026

Please make certain to mark your canoes and kayaks so if they are found loose, an owner can be contacted to insure that it is not a missing person situation.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JDib4gHCh/

Pro-tip! Stay and make sure to mark dinghies, kayaks, canoes, and all other small watercraft with your personal contact information! This helps the U.S. Coast Guard when your vessel is found.

✨ Decal template available - along with other free resources - at www.safeboatingcampaign.com

03/05/2026

It was work detail Wednesday! We had received our replacement Boat 3 this week and some members came together tonight to put it in service. Members deflated the boat and mounted the brackets to hold the headache rack and reinflated the boat. Boat 4 was moved to the upper deck of the double stack trailer and boat 3 was loaded on the bottom bunk. Motor was mounted and the boat secured. Next task was to add the Lower Kiski name to Boat 2, the new Whaly. Finally, the members organized some of our equipment on some new shelving to clean up our area in the garage. Thank you to the members who were able to make it out to Git-R-Done!!!!

03/03/2026

This past Saturday, DHS Region 13 held the second Ice Rescue Exercise at Moraine State Park in Butler County. It brought together personnel from the Western side of the Region to review and practice ice rescue skills. Conditions were perfect for realistic ice training. Deteriorating ice Conditions and a gap from shore to the ice made for perfect training.

While we started out with 6 members planning to attend, injury, sickness, work, and family matters dropped the attendance to unfortunately just one Team member able to attend.

02/20/2026

Congratulations to the EMS side of Lower Kiski Ambulance Service Inc. for the recognition from the American Heart Association. Well done!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1bB2kjkuiB/

Lower Kiski Ambulance Service is proud to announce that we have been awarded the 2026 American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline® Silver Award in recognition of our commitment to providing rapid, evidence-based care for patients experiencing cardiac and stroke emergencies.

This achievement reflects the dedication, professionalism, and teamwork of our paramedics and EMTs who work every day to deliver high-quality care when seconds matter most. By following nationally recognized treatment guidelines and continuously striving to improve patient outcomes, our crews help ensure that members of our community receive the best possible chance at survival and recovery.

We are honored to serve our community and remain committed to doing whatever it takes to provide exceptional emergency medical care.

If you see any of our crews be sure to congratulate them on a job well done.

02/01/2026

This morning, a few of our members went to assist with the Armstrong County HOST Team sponsored Ice Rescue Class. This Class is one of a series of five that are the basis of the PA Fish and Boat Commission Technician Level Training. Each of the students went throug a series of skill stations, many of which require them to enter the water. Everyone did great in 2 degree airvtemps and 33 degree water temps that formed 12" thick ice. Our members are always happy to see more people learn water skills.

02/01/2026

A few Team members are helping out with the Armstrong County Ice Rescue Class at Crooked Creek Lake. Will have more photos later. 2 degrees currently.

01/29/2026

We would like to commend our friends at Pittsburgh River Rescue on an effective effort at pulling a victim from a vehicle from the Mon River. Two divers dropped over a 10' wall, went under the ice, and pulled a victim to give a chance at life. This was a very challenging evolution and they pulled if off. Fantastic effort by River Rescue.

Emergency crews are responding to reports of a vehicle in the Monongahela River.

01/24/2026

A couple of our members worked in a balmy 7 degrees this morning to cover Boat 1 to protect it from the upcoming storm. We had it covered but had to uncover it for the last two details. We sincerely thank the membership of the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department for allowing us to store the boat under their picnic pavilion. It assists with keeping our equipment in a semi-available condition. THANK YOU!

01/18/2026

Today crews worked along side Blairsville Volunteer Fire Department, Murrysville Medic One Dive Team, and Armstrong County Team 330. We practiced victim recovery, face mask removal underwater and search patterns. Surface members did some training on Dive tending. At the end of the training, we got our ROV in the water for some of the other teams to see. Most of the time, Dive Teams get called out together for a recovery mission. With that in mind, we also train together. This way we have an understanding of everyone's capabilities. It was a great day of training and we look forward to doing it again in the future.

01/13/2026

Members of the Team spent a chilly evening in Pittsburgh providing 2 Safety Boats for the halftime drone show at the Steelers Game last night. 600 drones were flown from the point to provide a variety of images in the sky over Pittsburgh. A unique opportunity with a great viewing perspective. Thank you to the members who froze to get it covered.

01/04/2026

2025 Year in Review:

- We were activated for 16 incidents in 2025.
- We participated in our first out of state deployment to Maryland.
- Our members invested more than 820 Hours in responses, searches, training, special details, public relations, work details, and classes.
- We received and were trained in the Marine Sonic Side Scan Sonar. This included making changes to our Carolina Skiff to allow for operations.
- Due to damage to our 14' inflatable during the deployment, we have ordered a replacement Zodiac inflatable which should arrive Jan '26.
- Remained a strong response partner in the Region13 Southwestern PA Emergency Response Group participating in 2 of the Region training events.
- Due to a catastrophic failure of our 15 1/2' inflatable, we made the decision to replace it with a 16' Whaly Poly Rotomolded Boat. Upgrades were made to allow it to operate in night operations.
- Provided Safety Boats for two Pittsburgh Fireworks events.
- Added a few more Swiftwater Technicians to the Team through completion of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Swiftwater Technician training series.
- Added 3 new divers this year. All are developing and becoming functional members of the Dive Team.
- Held numerous work details to maintain our equipment and vehicles that are critical to be operationally ready 365/24/7.