If you keep an eye on the Petitcodiac River this week you might get a glimpse of the Riverview Fire Rescue team.
The department will be out on their new 4.5 metre rigid inflatable boat, conducting training exercises.
Deputy Chief Mitch Short says it’s is shorter and lighter than its 20-year-old predecessor, making it easier to handle.
“We’re changing to a smaller boat for a few reasons, mainly because of the way the river is, we don’t have a lake anymore and we don’t have any launch pads on this river so anytime we have to deploy the boat we need to take it down these muddy banks,” he says.
Additionally, Short says new carbon fiber propellers also allow for faster repairs if damaged by the rocky underwater terrain.
He says members received swift water training before heading out on the boat, to ensure they knew how to react if they went overboard.
