Mock boat crash provides lake rescue training

Daily Union

...Encompassing portions of Jefferson, Rock and Dane counties, Lake Koshkonong extends into the coverage area of multiple emergency agencies. Milton Fire and Rescue, Edgerton Fire and Rescue, Lake Mills Fire Department, Fort Atkinson Fire and Rescue, the Rock River Safety Patrol, the Rock County Sheriff's Department and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office each participated in the training exercise.

...After record-setting flooding last year, Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River's water levels are low right now.

"We had trouble getting the boats into some areas," Reel said. "That's where we utilized airboats from Lake Mills Fire Department and the Rock County Sheriff's Department."

...For the purposes of the scenario, it was assumed the boaters were from outside of the area and got lost on the lake, ultimately going aground near Vinnie HaHa Road, killing one person and injuring three others.

"It took us a while to search and find out where they were," the captain said. "It was a very realistic, real-time event that involved nine different agencies."