The Westmoreland County Swift Water Rescue Operations Plan was exercised on Saturday, May 1, 2021 with the participation of the Swift Water Rescue Teams and the Westmoreland County EOC. The exercise was conducted from 0900 to 1200 with the EOC staffed at an Enhanced Level with numerous SWRTs completing evolutions at several locations throughout Westmoreland County.

"North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue trained on the Yough River at the Coulter Boat Launch alongside Baldwin EMS SWRT. Together we drilled a scenario where a group of rafters were swept away by rising flood waters. Crews were tasked to search the river for 'victims', each of which fit a specific description. We included injects for rescuers overboard and boat/motor failures. We tested marking systems such as popping smoke grenades and fluorescent substances in the water." - Shane Spielvogle, Executive Director, North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue

"Fort Allen, Suttersville, Collinsburg, and Scottdale VFC's worked together cross training on each other's boats. It was a great exercise that demonstrated the success of teamwork" - Richard Manley, Chief, Fort Allen Volunteer Fire Company