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Fort Hood and Killeen Firefighters Complete Joint Swift Water Rescue Exercise

A controlled Army Corps of Engineers release delivered realistic high-velocity currents to test rescue techniques.

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Overview

  • More than 50 personnel from Fort Hood and the Killeen Fire Department completed a three-day exercise below Belton Lake Dam.
  • Held July 21–23, the joint drill offered firefighters a rare opportunity to train in fast-moving currents.
  • Firefighters navigated Zodiac boats, practiced survival swimming and conducted raft-flip drills to develop swift water proficiency.
  • Battalion Chiefs Billie Knesek and James Wallace honed rescue line toss techniques under live current conditions.
  • Killeen Fire Capt. Marcus Stillwell said the collaboration bolsters mutual aid readiness for flood emergencies.