On a brisk morning in late January 2025, a life hung in the balance on the open waters of Lake Harney, a nine-square-mile lake straddling two Florida counties.

Amid 50° temperatures and biting 20-mph winds, the Seminole County (FL) Fire Department’s Airboat 42—nicknamed Geneva Fire Falcon—demonstrated its value as a rescue asset when it helped save the life of a drowning fisherman.

That man was Dan Watson of Titusville, Florida, who had set out alone for a peaceful day of fishing. As he changed his tackle, a gust of wind created a wave that flipped his boat, throwing him into the frigid waters. Alone, disoriented, and quickly succumbing to hypothermia, Watson managed to dial 911. His call was broken, muffled by splashing water, and made challenging because of fishing tackle tightly wrapped around his neck. But, it set in motion a swift and coordinated rescue response that involved dispatchers, a specialized crew, two vigilant bystanders, and the department’s custom-built Diamondback Airboat.

Emergency On The Water

The call came in at 11:24 a.m. on January 25. Emergency Communications dispatchers immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation. “The caller was going in and out of consciousness,” says Battalion Chief Phil Persing, who oversaw the response.

“We could hear water splashing in the background. It was clear we had no time to waste.”

Dispatchers used GPS plotting to triangulate the caller’s location, pinpointing Watson in the middle of Lake Harney, west of Gopher Slough, Florida. Conditions were challenging, with white capping waves and a raw wind from the north.

Built by Diamondback and stationed at Seminole County Fire Station 42 in Geneva, Airboat 42 was launched immediately with a trained crew onboard. “Thanks to the air- boat’s unique capabilities, we were able to head directly to the patient’s location,” says Firefighter Shane Degler. “We knew we had to move fast.”

Good Samaritans On The Scene

By the time the crew arrived, two local fishermen, Bill Coe of Mims and Billy McClure of Titusville, had already spotted Watson’s overturned boat from almost a half mile away. “We just saw something flash weird in the sun about a half mile away,” Coe recalled. “It didn’t look right. We went to check it out.”

The two men pulled Watson from the water into their boat moments before the crew reached them. “Bill and Billy were instrumental,” said Degler. “Their sharp eyes and quick actions quite literally saved a life.”

The Geneva Fire Falcons crew transferred Watson to Airboat 42, stabilized the hypothermic Watson, and swiftly transported him to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital. He was admitted in critical condition to the ICU, but he survived and made a full recovery. Weeks later, he stood before his rescuers at a special award ceremony, visibly moved and full of gratitude.

1 Airboat 42, a five-seat, custom-built Diamondback airboat, was was added to Seminole County (FL) Fire Department’s fleet in late 2021. It is designed for the region’s complex wetland and flood plain terrain. [Photos courtesy of the Seminole County (FL) Fire Department]

2 Airboat 42 was named Geneva Fire Falcon by a fifth-grade class at Geneva Elementary.

“I owe my life to every one of you,” Watson said through tears. “From the dispatchers to the guys in the boat, and those two fishermen—I wouldn’t be here without you.”

A RESCUE ASSET WITH WIN

Each year firefighters and fire departments from across New Jersey gather at the shore in Wildwood for the New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention. Aside from the delegate meetings, seminars, fundraising benefits, and vendor booths, there is another draw to the show: the apparatus. The rigs displayed by numerous manufacturers were superb, as was the weather making viewing these rigs a pleasure.

Here’s a look at some of the logos and department insignias from them:

Each year firefighters and fire departments from across New Jersey gather at the shore in Wildwood for the New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention. Aside from the delegate meetings, seminars, fundraising benefits, and vendor booths, there is another draw to the show: the apparatus. The rigs displayed by numerous manufacturers were superb, as was the weather making viewing these rigs a pleasure.

Here’s a look at some of the logos and department insignias from them:

The Manteca Fire Department is proud to announce it has been awarded more than $3.4 million in federal funding through two major FEMA grant programs, marking a transformative investment in public safety and the future of emergency response in Manteca, the city said in a press release.

This milestone—made possible through the foundational support of Measure Q—represents a vital advancement in ensuring the city of Manteca continues to grow safely, sustainably, and with the resources needed to protect every resident.

The first award, a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, provides $2,692,300.83 in funding. This grant will allow Manteca Fire to hire nine new firefighters, enabling the department to fully staff an additional fire engine each day. The increase in staffing will reduce emergency response times, improve citywide coverage, and strengthen the department’s ability to serve Manteca’s growing community.

The second award, through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, totals $718,386 and will fund the purchase of new, advanced self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). These upgraded units will provide firefighters with greater respiratory protection, longer operational duration, and improved situational awareness during hazardous operations—helping ensure that first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively.

“These federal grants, combined with the continued local support provided through Measure Q, are truly making a difference in how we serve our city,” said City Manager, Toni Lundgren. “This funding means more firefighters on the streets, faster response times, and safer conditions for both our personnel and the residents we’re sworn to protect. It’s an incredible step forward for public safety in Manteca.”

To ensure full transparency and community understanding, the rollout of additional staffing will be accompanied by a clear, public funding plan. This plan will be presented to and voted on by the Manteca City Council, providing residents with insight into how these new federal and local funds will be implemented to maximize community benefit.

The Manteca Fire Department remains committed to delivering the highest level of service to the community. With the support of Measure Q and these new FEMA grants, Manteca Fire continues to expand its capabilities, strengthen its workforce, and improve emergency response outcomes for every resident.

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