Welcome Lake Dive Rescue Team

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

The Welcome Lake Dive Rescue Team is part of the Welcome Lake Fire Department, located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We were formed in 1989, making us one of Northeast Pennsylvania's oldest and longest standing dive teams. We are a non-profit, volunteer company. Our divers primarily use their own equipment, however we do raise money to purchase certain equipment such as our dive truck, cascade system and compressor.

We continue to seek new members. We not only have need for divers and surface support personnel, but also individuals to help with fund raising, social events and other functions. We provide regular training for our members.

Please contact us for membership information, or with other questions at divedeep@ptd.net.



The Welcome Lake Dive Rescue Team received a gift of Thanksgiving from the Ladies Auxiliary at its meeting on November 14 that paid the remaining balance of the team's SeaDoo jetski. The check, presented by Welcome Lake Ladies Auxiliary President Glenna Branning, was a complete surprise to the team and gratefully received.

Although the dive team made its home at the Welcome Lake Volunteer Fire Department over seven years ago, much of its role and special needs were largely misunderstood by the women.

We had no idea how specialized and expensive the dive team's equipment is,explained Branning. She recently gained insight on the team's use of high-tech underwater gear and advanced training from her son, Brett (a rescue diver), as he packed his gear in preparation of an excursion to the St. Lawrence River for a training with the Dive Team. She credits him with giving her quite an education then passed along the information to the Ladies Auxiliary. When deciding how to distribute funds raised throughout the year, they voted to relieve the dive team of their remaining jetski payments.

It was a total surprise according to Dive Team Treasurer Julie Mott. Like someone on the team said, Thanksgiving came early this year.

Pictured in front of the jetski, from left to right: Christian Schiavo, Dive Team President, Julie Mott, Dive Team Treasurer, Glenna Branning, Ladies Auxiliary President, and Harrison Balthaser, Dive Team Captain.

(Photo by Susan Laferriere)








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