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Contact: Hannah Lemon, KU Edwards Campus, 913-897-8755, [email protected]
Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute to deliver customized water safety course to Kansas Rowing, area coaches
LAWRENCE – On Aug. 17, instructors from the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI) technical rescue program will train Kansas Rowing and Kansas Crew coaches on lifesaving rescue techniques on the Kansas River. Coaches and athletic trainers from fellow state universities and high schools are also invited to attend. Two captains and a battalion chief from the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department will deliver this first-time, full-day course.
WHEN: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17.
WHERE: Kansas Rowing Boathouse in Burcham Park, South Powerhouse Road, Lawrence
The course begins at 8 a.m. with an in-classroom introduction. The rest will take place in the Kansas River where participants will perform rescue exercises, pulling each other in and out of the rowing shells, both in and outside of the water.
The world watched in awe July 28 when a Norwegian rowing pair capsized in the last 500 meters of the men’s lightweight double sculls semifinal, ending their chance at a medal during the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo.
Accidents like this happen in a sport with inherent risk. Carrie Cook-Callen, Kansas Rowing head coach, enlisted the help of her colleagues at KFRTI’s technical rescue program for a water safety course. KFRTI is responding with a specifically tailored course for these rowing leaders so they can be confident “first responders” in the water.
“Our mission is to promote health and safety in Kansas communities,” said Ben Green, KFRTI’s technical rescue program coordinator. “This is a great opportunity to use our expertise to help ensure the safety of these young athletes.”
Media representatives are invited to attend the course at any time. Green, Cook-Callen and Danielle Meyer, coach of Kansas Crew, will be available for comment. This is a rain-or-shine course, pending lightning, a high-water event or south winds at 15 mph or higher. Contact Hannah Lemon at 913-897-8755 or [email protected] to RSVP or ask any pre-event questions.
With consideration of COVID-19 safety precautions, masks are required inside the classroom course introduction and strongly encouraged in crowded outdoor areas. All other government and KU protocols for COVID-19 must be followed.
About the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute
The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI) was created in 1949 by Kansas law to provide training for the Kansas Fire Service. The Institute is a dynamic organization providing training services through a “Mobile Fire Academy” concept. This concept is designed to accommodate local needs through training delivered anytime, anyplace or anywhere in Kansas. KFRTI is a unit of University of Kansas Lifelong & Professional Education.
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