The Officers and Members of the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department proudly accepted delivery of a new inflatable rescue boat. The new craft was manufactured in Friendsville, Maryland by Demaree Inflatable Boats (D.I.B.) and was delivered to Station 4 on Tuesday December 27.

The new boat is a 17 Ft. Flat Bottomed Chesapeake Model and is powered by a Mercury Opti-Max 80 Horse Power Jet Outboard. The flat bottom and jet outboard will allow the craft to operate in very shallow waters such as those found in the far north end of the Triadelphia Reservoir, as well as in swift or moving currents such as those found in the Potomac River.

Unknown to many in the area, Sandy Spring VFD provides emergency response to many bodies of water. These include the Patuxent River, Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge Reservoirs, Lake Hallowell, Lake Needwood, and Lake Bernard Frank. In addition, members of the department’s Special Operations Division make up a component of the Montgomery County River Rescue and Tactical Services (RRATS) Team. These members are highly trained and certified in Swift Water, Ice, and High Angle Rope Rescue.

The Chesapeake replaces a 15 Ft. 1995 Avon Inflatable V Bottomed boat that has served the department well for 17 years. Many thanks to Dave Demaree, Greig Johnson and the rest at DIB who assisted in the project, as well as to Chief Jim Seavey of the Cabin John Park Vol. Fire Dept. and MCFRS Master Firefighter Larry Simmons for your advice and guidance!

Photos courtesy of Tommy Brown.