Orlando police unveil new high-water rescue truck
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Floods can hit fast, as we’ve seen in Central Florida during storms and hurricanes.
The Orlando Police Department in June acquired a high-water rescue truck, a new tool they can use in the next such emergency.
“We want to make sure we are prepared and we can respond to the citizens of Orlando if they need help,” said Orlando police Lt. Tyler Olson. “We have seen an increase in flooding across the country recently. We want to make sure we are ready.”
According to Olson, the new high-water rescue truck can fit 20 people in the back, along with equipment.
“It’s also wheelchair accessible,” he said Thursday.
The truck, which is able to drive through up to 50 inches of water, is just the latest addition to the department’s fleet of water-rescue vehicles following the acquisition of rescue boats two years ago.
“A couple of years ago, a hurricane came through. I was with Chief Smith when we went out and we saw the flooding that was affecting our community,” Olson said. “We were trying to respond to calls for service during that time. The chief was there and he saw firsthand how impactful the flooding was and the need for this equipment.”
While Orlando police haven’t had to use the high-water rescue truck just yet, it’s ready, come you-know-what or high water.