Crime & Safety

Fire Department Rescue Drills Scheduled July and August

Rescue drills with regional partner fire agencies will allow firefighters to practice their skills and maintain certifications.

Over the next few weeks firefighters from Mercer Island, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and other north shore Lake Washington communities will be participating in rescue drills to practice their skills and maintain certifications.

The upcoming drills will focus on confined space and rope rescue scenarios, and will involve live patients. To the public they may appear to be actual rescues incidents; but signage will be posted to describe the situation.Β 

The drill scenarios will be at the City Boat Launch from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the overhead structure of the East Channel Bridge on the following dates:

  • July 19
  • July 22
  • July 23
  • July 26
  • August 15
  • August 16
  • August 19
By law, firefighters are required to have annual training for specific technical rescue disciplines.Β Most technical rescues entail many firefighters to staff an appropriate response, and Mercer Island typically draws on support from neighboring cities under reciprocal mutual aid agreements. Β 

Residents with questions about this rescue practice should contact MIFD Battalion Chief Les Kenworthy at (206) 275-7975.


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