He dives into waters, and also has the ability to shift gears and fight fires.

Make no mistake about it: Rodney Rehnert is a dual threat.

His track record surely attests to that, as Rehnert has been a volunteer member of the Lehighton Fire Department for 27 years, as well as a member of its dive team for 25 years.

At present, Rehnert is currently a lieutenant with the fire department.

Dive team member

Rehnert has been dive team certified since 1993.

He said the fire department’s dive team currently has five divers and 12 diver support members, three of which are looking to become divers in the near future.

Rehnert explained why he decided to join the dive team, and continues to remain on after all these years.

“I joined because it was a great opportunity to learn to dive, and the department was paying for it,” Rehnert said.

Rehnert said it isn’t hard to become certified, “You just need the will and the funds to do it.”

“All of the dive shops in the area do certification training,” he said. “To stay certified, you need to dive once a year.”

Preparing for a dive

Rehnert said there is a minimum of two divers at all times for a rescue.

“We dive with two divers because we are not tethered by ropes to the surface, and if you would become entangled in something, your partner is there to help you,” he said. “We would also have someone dressed and ready to go in on the surface if something did go wrong.”

Rehnert’s gear consists of the following: DUI public safety dry suit; rock boots; thermal undergarments; full positive presser face mask; buoyancy compensator devices; SCUBA regulator set; pony cylinder, emergency air supply; scuba cylinder, main air supply; and 20 pounds of lead shot weight belt.

In a normal year, Rehnert said they would typically receive one dive call.

However, he said this year there have already been two drownings at the Glen, as well as two vehicles at Beltzville Lake.

The dangers involved

Rehnert noted there are hazards involved in diving, and added the biggest danger he’s been in was diving in the Lehigh’s current with the submerged trees.

There are all kinds of emotions that can go through one’s head upon the completion of a successful dive rescue, Rehnert said.

“It’s a great feeling when we are helping another agency like Pennsylvania State Police for evidence collection,” he said. “When we are doing a body recovery, it’s an emotional roller coaster because on one hand, we are glad that we can help the family with their loved one doing something we love to do — dive — but on the other hand, we are recovering a victim of a drowning. I’d rather pull a car out of the water.”

Rehnert thanked his fellow dive team members.

“It is a team,” he said. “It is literally a team effort for everything.”

Rehnert explained what he enjoys most about being a dive team member.

“We get to go places other divers can’t like Beltzville Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake, and we get to work with other agencies like the rangers out at Mauch Chunk Lake and Beltzville, and PSP, and Fish and Boat,” he said. “And you get to reach out to other community members and have a good time when you’re diving.”

Our Lehigh Valley Health Network Neighborhood Spotlight honors volunteers in our community. The feature is published on the last Saturday of the month. To nominate someone, send an email to tneditor@tnonline.com