Bolivar Dive Team Members Undergo Training
Bolivar, TN – Members of the Bolivar Dive Team participated in training during the week of September 11-16, 2023. New members of the team undergoing training included Jonathan Luttrell and Brittney Willis.
Divers participated in five days of classroom and confined water (pool) training followed by a day-long final evidence recovery scenario. The team was trained through The Dive Shop in Memphis led by Fayette County EMA Director and Emergency Rescue Divers International (ERDI) Instructor Hunter Winfrey and ERDI Instructor Jason Philpot. The final day of training was conducted at Sand Beach Lake in Bolivar.
Divers received certification as ERDI divers, dry suit operations, and full face mask operations. Seven students completed the course from the Bolivar Police Department, Hardin County Fire, and Desoto County Search and Rescue.
The decision to create and certify a dive team came as a result of the opening of Sand Beach Lake in 2019. Initial members of the dive team completed training in 2020. Luttrell and Willis join founding member Sergeant Chris Wilkerson, who is already a Certified Public Safety Diver. Wilkerson also participated in the week-long training as a course assistant.
The Bolivar Dive Team has participated in several recovery and search and rescue operations with other area dive teams.
“There are only a few teams around doing this kind of discipline. Citizens in Fayette, Hardin, Hardeman, and Desoto County should be comforted that there are teams to do this work. These dedicated teams are called to action for a variety of missions from drowning victims to location of missing evidence. Public safety divers respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and may be required to dive in the middle of the night, during inclement weather, in zero visibility, or through polluted waters,” said ERDI Instructor Hunter Winfrey on his Facebook page.
“As water activities and sports increase in the surrounding area, it is important for us as a city to remain vigilant and be prepared to respond to such emergencies. I am so very proud of our staff who are always ready and willing to serve at a moment’s notice,” said Mayor McTizic.
Bolivar Police Sergeant Chris Wilkerson stated, “I am proud and honored to be a part of the Bolivar Dive Team. I am equally proud to serve on that team with Officer Luttrell and Ms. Willis. Their willingness to go the extra mile to achieve certification demonstrates their commitment and dedication to our city.”
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