Calgary expecting a big jump in water rescues this summer

With the long-range forecast calling for hotter-than-normal temperatures in Calgary this summer, the fire department's aquatic rescue team is preparing for a very busy season.

Drowning claimed the lives of four people in Calgary last year, while the number of people who had to be rescued after getting into trouble on the waters in the city jumped by 31 per cent, according to the Calgary Fire Department.

Based on trends in river use and with a forecast for above-average temperatures this summer, the department is preparing for a possible all-time high in water rescues this summer, said Carol Henke, information officer with Calgary fire.

“The greatest number of water rescues occurred in July, averaging 52 rescues that month since 2016,” added Henke.

“We see the greatest number of river rescues on the Bow River between Shouldice boat ramp downstream to Harvie Passage.  The communities of Montgomery and Inglewood at either end of this float see the greatest number of aquatic rescues in the waters adjacent to their communities, especially at Harvey Passage.”

“Every time we see consistent temperatures like 28 to 30 C or higher, we’ve got a lot of people that I think venture out who haven’t been out to the water before,” said Calgary fire community safety officer, Alex Kwan.

Including the four people who drowned last year, a total of 29 people have lost their lives in Calgary’s waters since 2016.

“The city’s growing, we have more people, and I think a lot of people maybe don’t think about the risks,” said Henke.

“It’s a beautiful day, you’re not thinking about something going wrong, you’re thinking it’s gonna be a nice little float down the river, and it’s not till you’re in the situation that you recognize maybe your planning could have been better, your craft could have been better. I think maybe it’s not top of mind for a lot of people.”