VIDEO: A decommissioned military vehicle is not quite done with its tour of duty. Instead of transporting troops, it will be outfitted to assist in water rescues with the Scranton Fire Department.
“At the FEMA, national and state levels, when there’s a significant flooding event, what you’ll find is usually with those water rescue teams they have National Guard or other departments that have high-water vehicles similar to this,” said Chief John Judge, Scranton Fire Department.
While Scranton may be landlocked, Fire Chief John Judge says water rescue scenarios are not uncommon.
Three years ago, several rivers, creeks, and tributaries that run throughout Scranton and across Lackawanna County flooded streets and destroyed neighborhoods after weekend storms.
“Being able to evacuate people out of their homes is kind of our mission, so this is just another tool in the toolbox for us to be able to get our expert water rescue teams into those areas,” said Chief Judge.
WNEP-TV ABC 16 Scranton