The Hampton Fire Department is often called upon to respond to the water, whether it's someone caught in a riptide, an injured person on a jetty or a boat engulfed in flames. [Hampton Fire Department photo]

HAMPTON -- Firefighters nowadays are expected to do more than just put out fires and respond to emergency medical calls. With more than two miles of coastline in Hampton alone, the Hampton Fire Department is often called upon to respond to the water, whether it's someone caught in a riptide, an injured person on a jetty or a boat engulfed in flames.

"Because we are an ocean town, there is going to be ocean rescues," said Hampton's Deputy Fire Chief Jameson Ayotte.

So when water rescue training opportunities become available, like the one this week, Ayotte said the department takes full advantage.

Eleven Hampton firefighters spent this week participating in the New Hampshire Fire Academy's Rescue Swimmer class.

The program, 100 percent paid for through a federal grant, gave firefighters the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques, then demonstrate what they learned with mock scenarios occurring both in the day and night.

Ayotte said the training is on top of what they try to do in-house with the department's two rescue boats.

Fire Chief Chris Silver and Capt. Justin Cutting requested that this specific course be included as part of a $4.4 million federal grant given to the N.H. Fire Academy specifically for "boots on the ground training" programs.

Over the years Hampton firefighters have been called upon to rescue stranded boaters and swimmers.

"Anytime a firefighter is going in the water it's a dangerous situation for them," Ayotte said. "It's essential to have this training. It's one thing to do it; it's another thing to know how to do it."

For firefighter Jason Newman, the training was an eye-opener.

"It made me realize just how much of a hazard we do have out there," said Newman.

Firefighter Jed Carpentier said on Tuesday they learned and practiced different techniques for rescuing people off the rocks. Such a scenario played out this summer when firefighters rescued a person injured off the jetty. Rather than remove the individual on the rocks, which may cause further injury to the person and the responding firefighters, the department employed its rescue boat to bring the person safely back to shore.

"We did it during the day and then we came back at night to do it all over again when there was lower visibility," said Carpentier. "You never know when that call is going to come in. So it's good to practice under all circumstances."

Carpentier said they also learned how to use the harsh elements that often occur in the ocean to their advantage.

"The more we learn, the more we know," Newman said. "The better prepared we are, the safer it will be for us and the better it is for the community."

Carpentier said it was great that the majority of the department is going through the training.

While 11 firefighters went through the program this week, another group will participate in the class in October.

"It's a great opportunity for us to be able to all do it together right here in your own back yard," Carpentier said. "The majority of the department will go through this and we will all be on the same sheet of music."

The program was taught by Joseph Mokry of Ocean Rescue Systems International, who provides similar training throughout the world.

Mokry said the training was in two areas, boat operations and rescue swimmers.

"What we have been working on is developing good skills and techniques for operating a boat, especially around obstructions in the water," Mokry said. "Then taking those techniques and putting them to real-life scenarios like a vessel that runs aground on the rocks or a boat taking on water to evacuating people from a boat that is on fire."

The other training involves best practices in rescuing swimmers.

Mokry said he's been conducting training periodically with Hampton firefighters for the last six years.

"I don't hesitate to say this, but Hampton is probably the most prepared fire department in the Northeast when it comes to water rescue operations."

Mokry said the department has made a real commitment over the years and it shows. He said the firefighters performed "impressively" during search-and-rescue drills.

Ayotte said Cinnamon Rainbows was a big help during the training session. The Ocean Boulevard surf shop generously donated wetsuits and other accoutrements for the students to use for the whole class.

In addition to Hampton, firefighters from Rye, North Hampton, Portsmouth and Dover participated in the course.

Hampton firefighters immerse themselves in water rescue training exercises. [Hampton Fire Department photo]

The water rescue program was taught by Joseph Mokry of Ocean Rescue Systems International. [Hampton Fire Department photo]

Hampton firefighters immerse themselves in water rescue training exercises. [Hampton Fire Department photo]