The Good Life – September-October 2014

LOCAL HEROES
VOLUNTEERS RISKING THEIR LIVES
Put on your ‘thinking cap’ and try to imagine what
a baker, a scuba instructor, fire fighters, and an ittybitty
middle aged woman all have in common. What
could bring them together once a month for a few
hours of no nonsense training exercises that could
one day save your life, or the life of someone you care
about? Give up? They are all certified members of
local river and lake water rescue teams.
WHO, WHY AND WHEN
Founded in 1993, the original team members were
Mike Knorr, a well-known diving expert in Moorhead
as the one-time owner of Mick’s Scuba, and probably
the only one with a natural knack for jumping into
unknown, large bodies of water at the drop of a hat.
Mike’s co-founding members were Charlie Van Raden,
Marty Soeth, Joe Upton, and Pete Fendt. Today Mike
Knorr and Pete Fendt are still with the VWR team
providing guidance and the coordination for the
once a month mandatory training sessions required
for certification. A once a month mandatory training
session is required for certification for each of the 26
member VWR team members.
The why for each member is as varied as they are
as a group, yet when asked individually one answer
is always the same, “because it’s vitally needed and
not just any one can do this.” After having watched
a training session with both the Moorhead Fire
Department members, as well as the Valley Water
Rescue team, I am here to assure anyone with any
illusion about jumping into the Red River to “rescue”
a person, cat, or dog — for heaven’s sake do not try
it. The current alone would prevent many from even
reaching a drowning victim, never mind hitting an
area that could suck down an elephant. The best thing
anyone without proper training and a dry suit should
do if happening upon a Red River (or any other river)
drowning victim is to call 911 immediately and hope
the trained members of either Fargo or Moorhead’s
Fire team or Valley Water Rescue team reach the scene
as soon as possible. Staying on shore while watching
where the person is drifting will be a major plus in
aiding the water rescue team when they arrive, and is
the safest and best way anyone could help.
THE UNDERSTATED VALUE OF CONTINUOUS
TRAINING
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “that which we persist
in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has
become easier, but that our ability to perform it has
improved.” There is no quote that fits the Valley Water
Rescue team more appropriately than this one, as this
group of on-call, 24/7, volunteer heroes practices
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