Sonar technology helping CSFD in dive team operations

Colorado Springs firefighters are demonstrating their Heavy Rescue program which involves water rescues and safety. Today, CSFD will demonstrate how they capture footage of simulated recovery dives from the rescue boat and also from shore.

In 2015, the fire department purchased the “Humminbird” side scan sonar to assist in dive team operations.

The side scan sonar is a tool which assists CSFD divers in locating victims and/or weapons underwater. The sonar produces a picture of the underwater environment regardless of water visibility.

CSFD assisted in two separate occasions this summer, making two successful recovery dives after earlier attempts had been unsuccessful. They assisted Colorado State Parks at John Martin Reservoir in June and then again in July at Pueblo Reservoir. In both missions, the CSFD dive team was able to successfully locate the victims in a large body of water, mark their location and make the recovery.

Sonar technology has assisted the CSFD Dive Team helping families find closure during these tragic events.

We’ll be at the event and have the full story for you on KRDO Newschannel 13 at noon.