With boating and swimming season upon us, authorities are looking for volunteers to join the Grand Forks area's water-rescue team.
The team needs experienced sonar operators, boat pilots and divers used to wearing dry suits or diving in icy conditions or swift currents.
People without experience in those areas can volunteer to provide shore support or watch for bodies that are expected to resurface.
"What we're doing is just looking at expanding the team, just to do some restructuring as well as dedicating people to certain activities, which frees up our divers and other ground support for their tasks," said Cpl. Thomas Inocencio of the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Department.
Inocencio, who leads the water-rescue team, warns that volunteers could be called out at any time. On the other hand, "It's pretty rewarding when you can bring closure to somebody's family that has drowned," he said.
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Inocencio said an example of what the water-rescue team does would be the April search and recovery of a teen who drowned in the Red River. The team also promotes water safety and conducts boat patrols during special events, such as Catfish Days.
He said the team responded to five or six calls last year.
Volunteers would have to attend monthly meetings and undergo training. Anyone interested can call the sheriff's office at (701) 780-8280 or stop by the office at 122 S. Fifth St.
The team, which has 12 members, hopes to double in size with this push for volunteers.
Reach Ingersoll at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com .
