Fathom Tanks and Fayetteville Community College Opens Indoor Swift Water Simulator

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Dec. 13, 2023 - PRLog -- Fayetteville Community College and Fathom Tanks have collaborated and now offer an indoor swift water simulation tank for fire and rescue training. This facility is the first of its kind on the east coast, where Atlantic hurricanes affect  communities every year. Swift water training is an annual necessity for fire fighters and emergency response personnel. However, unpredictable weather, water current, bacteria from rain runoff, or lost equipment make outdoor swift water training expensive, dangerous, or not controlled enough to prepare trainees for real world scenarios. This indoor facility allows trainees access to advanced levels of safe training that are not possible in outdoor environments.

"Outdoor training is subject to weather conditions, which can be unpredictable. Adverse weather, such as heavy rain or storms, or a lack of rain in the region can significantly impact the safety and effectiveness of training exercises." Matt Hoffman has been a fire fighter for 20 years, during which he served on Task Force 11 and conducted emergency response to Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Florence, and countless tropical depressions. "Having an indoor facility for swift water training provides a controlled environment, allowing for year-round training regardless of weather conditions. It enables more consistent and structured skill development, enhances safety by minimizing external risks, and facilitates focused instruction and scenario-based exercises." One of the most common rescue calls during a flood involves vehicle submersion. "Cars and other vehicle entrapments are virtually impossible to replicate in a natural outdoor body of water. The potential safety risk and environmental impact are simply too great", says Hoffman. FTCC's Fathom Tank allows car, boat, helicopter, or any kind of vehicle submersion needed. Add other features of the tank, multiple currents, thunder and rain, sirens and helicopter lights, and trainees will be better prepared to respond to a night vehicle rescue call with safety and confidence.

The indoor tank is 140,000 gallons, equipped with 10 movable pumps that flow up to 7 knots. The swift water rescue training facility is on FTCC's 30 acre state-of-the-art Fire and Rescue Training Complex in NC.

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