New boat excites Wood Dale fire district

Wood Dale firefighters got a new boat Friday.

Thankfully, the box it comes in doesn't take up much room on the service floor.

The fire protection district has a new inflatable water-rescue boat to help navigate the city's 10 bodies of water. It purchased the craft with a $13,500 donation from ProAccess Insurance and the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.

"We are very grateful for this grant to assist our department and to help us respond to potential emergencies," Fire Chief Thomas Flanagan said. "Having the proper equipment in place will enhance our rescue efforts and will make Wood Dale a safer community."

Any water rescue in Wood Dale likely would take place in Salt Creek or any of the deeper, local retention ponds.

The boat, Flanagan said, holds six to eight firefighters and their gear. It can be inflated with air bottles carried by the firefighters.

The new boat also can be launched easily, unlike the district's previous boat, which required a boat launch to be used.

"We've got multiple retention ponds," Flanagan said. "We hope we don't have to use it. But if we do, it allows us to work within our means, opposed to what we had previously."

Now that the district has a reliable boat, Flanagan said, district officials will resume their research into creating a dive team.

"In the meantime, we'll certainly be able to do all water surface rescues," he said.

Last October, the district donated its previous 16-foot aluminum fishing boat, motor and trailer to local Boy Scout Troop 47.