Boat 23
On July 28-31st 2025 Copperopolis Fire along with Calaveras Consolidated Fire District completed Open Water Rescue Boat Operator course.
This course provided classroom instruction and practical application to develop competency for open water rescue boat operations. The students completed a variety of exercises including navigating a buoy course, transferring of personnel at speed, touch and go’s, victim and body recovery, righting of capsized boats, dynamic rescuer deployment and night operations. In addition to the course the students also obtained there California Boatr Safety card and Urban Search and Rescue Boat Operator certificate.
This course was only made possible by the generous donation from the Calaveras Community Foundation and the Lakes Treatment Center. With there donation the District was able to purchase a 14’ Inmar IRB with a 25hp motor. The addition of the rescue boat allows us to continue our all-risk approach to mitigating emergencies in Copperopolis. We cannot thank CCF enough for there continuous support of our mission here at Copperopolis Fire. Additionally, this resource will have the ability to be used outside of Copperopolis to assist any of our citizens in Calaveras County.
New Rescue Boat in Service Thanks to Calaveras Community Foundation and The Lakes Treatment Center
From July 28–31, 2025, Copperopolis Fire Protection District, alongside Calaveras Consolidated Fire District, completed the Open Water Rescue Boat Operator Course.
This training provided both classroom instruction and hands-on exercises designed to build proficiency in open water rescue operations. Fire personnel practiced:
- Navigating buoy courses
- High-speed personnel transfers
- Touch-and-go landings
- Victim and body recovery
- Righting capsized boats
- Dynamic rescuer deployment
- Nighttime operations
Upon completion, participants received both their State Fire Marshall Open Water Rescue Boat Operator and Urban Search and Rescue Boat Operator Certificate.
This course—and the capabilities it provides—were only made possible thanks to the generous support of the Calaveras Community Foundation and The Lakes Treatment Center. Their donation allowed the District to purchase a 14-foot Inmar Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) with a 25hp motor.
The addition of this vessel enhances our all-risk emergency response capacity in Copperopolis and beyond. This resource is now in service and will be available to assist with water rescues anywhere in Calaveras County.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Calaveras Community Foundation and The Lakes Treatment Center for their continued support of our mission to serve and protect the community.