Category: News || By Staff Report

McKeesport's growing river-rescue team is poised to become a regional resource, Fire Chief Kevin Lust said.

Seven firefighters and four police officers are now trained in advanced water rescue techniques and handling underwater breathing apparatus, and will soon train in ice rescue, he said.

A new river rescue boat probably won't be delivered before December because the factory is "running behind" schedule, the chief said.

. . .

Allegheny County officials and Pennsylvania's "Region 13" homeland security task force have both been supportive of McKeesport's dive team, Lust said, with Region 13 arranging for some $70,000 in equipment to be used by the city.

With the equipment and the support comes an obligation to help neighboring municipalities when they need river rescue or dive team services, he said.

"We will be expected to assist other departments, not just McKeesport," said Lust, but added the city should view it as an "honor" extended by Region 13 and by Bob Full, Allegheny County chief of emergency services.

. . .

Lust also released the fire department's statistics for July, August and September.

City firefighters answered 292 calls during the three-month period, including 52 structure fires, 75 car accidents, 50 reports of "hazardous conditions," 26 calls for service, and 17 calls classified as "good intent" but unfounded.

Through Oct. 6, firefighters answered 886 incidents total for 2010, Lust said.

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Police Stats Issued: McKeesport police made 221 arrests in August and 178 in September, Police Chief Bryan Washowich said.

Officers also issued 141 traffic citations in August and another 244 in September. Many of those citations were issued as part of the city's participation in state and federal campaigns to crack down on aggressive driving, he said.

Police tagged 70 abandoned vehicles in August and 64 in September, towing 31, Washowich said.

City police also participated in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, an initiative sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to safely dispose of unwanted, expired or unnecessary prescription drugs. The event was "very successful," the chief said.

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