RRFR to train on Cochiti Lake

COCHITI LAKE — The United States Army Corps of Engineers announced Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue will be conducting on-the-water boat training at Cochiti Lake March 11-13.

Jake Bailey, with the RRFR operations division, will be overseeing the training.

“Rio Rancho Fire Rescue is participating in a boat operator course organized in partnership with other agencies that respond to water rescue emergencies in the Rio Grande basin and beyond,” he said.

He explained that participating agencies were doing pre-course work in the weeks leading up to the training, “and will come together to perform the practical, on-the-water maneuvers that are part of the class at Cochiti Lake."

“Combined with swift water rescue technician training, the boat operator class provides important boat safety, maneuvering and victim approach training to crews that may be called on to rescue citizens on the river or in floodwater rescue scenarios,” he said.

The Army Corps of Engineers states that high-speed training maneuvers are essential for emergency responses on any lake.

“While much of the training involves slower maneuvers (such as docking, launching, trailer recovery, night operations, etc.), RRFR will also be conducting high-speed maneuvers that will break the ‘no-wake’ rule for Cochiti Lake,” their release states.

Any updates or changes will be posted on the Cochiti Lake Facebook page.

Questions or concerns should be directed towards the USACE Cochiti Lake Project Office at 505-465-0307.