River Incident
Incident Name: River Incident
Date Reported: 3/15/2023
Time Reported: 1036 Hours
Incident Location: Van Buren and Santa Ana River
Ward #: Ward 7 Hemenway
Type of Incident: Water Rescue
Incident Number: RIV #23-008876
Control Time: 3/15/2023 1335 Hours
Fatalities:
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Moderate:
Minor:
Non Injury: 2
Displaced Persons: 2
Loss:
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Resources Assigned
Chief Officer(s): 3
Engine Companies: 4
Truck Companies: 2
Squad(s):
Ambulance(s): 1
Firefighter(s):
Safety Officer(s): 1
Public Information Officer(s): 1
Fire Investigator(s):
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Red Cross:
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Current Situation
On Wednesday March 15, 2023, at 10:36 a.m., The City of Riverside Fire Department responded a water rescue response to the Santa Ana River Bottom Adjacent to the Van Buren Bridge. Firefighters arrived on scene to discover two adults and one dog stuck on an island surrounded by fast moving water. CAL-Fire Riverside County Fire Department Task Force 17 assisted with their swift water rescue working together with City of Riverside Water Rescue Team 3.
Firefighters had to lower the rescue boat over the side of the bridge and utilize chainsaws to cut through thick heavy vegetation to clear a patch to an area to utilize the rescue boat to cross river to the island. Firefighters removed the two adults and one dog to a safe area outside of the River Bottom. Both adults were non-injured and requested assistance from the Riverside Homeless Solutions, however they did not remain on scene to receive services.
There were no firefighter injuries. Supporting agencies were CAL-Fire Riverside County Fire Department, RPD, RSO, AMR and San Bernardino County Sheriff Helicopter.
Assisting Aid Agencies
Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst
Prepared By: Battalion Chief Brian Guzzetta
Date / Time Posted: 023/15/2023 1145
Information Center: 951.826.5321
