A group of Towamensing Township firefighters have successfully completed a course to better serve the community.

Fire Chief Danny Reis said that eight members from the fire company fulfilled a 16-hour course for water rescue and emergency response operations.

“The course is designed to provide classroom and practical hands-on training (and) includes planning, medical considerations, rescue equipment, self-rescue and shore-based rescue techniques,” Reis said. “Students must demonstrate teaching competency in the classroom, pool and outdoor practical sessions.”

Reis said the pool requirements are 200 yards unaided swim (demonstrating all four strokes - American crawl, breast, side and back strokes), 12 minutes; 100 yards full clothed (long pants and T-shirt) and PFD and helmet, 8 minutes; and tread water, 10 minutes.

He said the members who attended the training were Amanda Solensky, Greg Solensky, Zach Schoenberger, Cole George, Evan Stevenson, Andy Dauphin, Jeff Gerger, and John Lester.