Summer is prime time for water emergencies, but volunteers with one rescue team are angry after someone stole vital diving equipment they need to do their jobs.
After a recent training class, part of the equipment that filled the Faulkner County Emergency Squad's boats was gone like the buoyancy vests, air tanks, and goggles. All of these things are vital pieces of equipment for divers.
Nine divers from Faulkner County Rescue Squad were in Hot Springs for a certification class last week when someone broke into Michael Smith's truck at a hotel and stole an estimated $1,500 in gear and radios.
"Realizing the dive bags I put in the back seat were missing, it was like we're here to do training and now we can't do the training," said Michael Smith, with the Faulkner County Emergency Squad. “It was very disheartening.”
They completed the training with loaned equipment. While tax dollars paid for much of the stolen property, the volunteers bought some of it, too.
“It put us all in jeopardy,” Smith said.
We saw just how valuable dive teams are in the aftermath of the Albert Pike Campground Flood. Divers, both paid and volunteer, train constantly to protect people in water emergencies. They say it’s a calling.
“Some make preachers, some make teachers, I'm a person to help," said Kevin Whitbey, Faulkner County Emergency Management.
That's why it is so frustrating when a thief hampers efforts to save lives, but they say this won't stop them from doing their job. The squad says police haven't arrested anyone yet or recovered the equipment. Unfortunately the insurance deductible is about the same as the value of the stolen property. So, they're out the money.
For those who would like to help with this effort, donations will be accepted. Interested individuals should contact Commander Tim Tyler at the Faulkner County Emergency Squad by calling 501-328-7800. Faulkner County residents can also check a box paying an optional tax to assist the squad when they pay their property taxes.
