Pasco Fire Department unveils new water rescue boat

A new tool for the Pasco Fire Department will be unveiled this weekend.

Firefighters say the water rescue boat is part of the new Water Rescue Program. It arrived this week and will be shown to the public at the Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 7 in Downtown Pasco.

The City Council approved the new program earlier this year. The boat was just delivered this week and fire crews will be training over the next several days.

The goal of the Water Rescue Program will be able to spend at half of its time in activities such as boater safety and public speaking engagements. The other half will be Franklin County Sheriff Office, Columbia Basin Dive Rescue and other boating organizations.

City Officials say the cost of the boat has been absorbed by existing budgets and the Pasco Kiwanis is also hosting a fundraiser to help with costs.

The boat will be displayed with other City vehicles on Lewis Street (between 4thAvenue and 3rd Avenue) as part of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority’s Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 7, from Noon-5pm.