The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service unveiled two new water rescue units during a simulation at the St. Vital Boat Launch today. 

The new units will maintain the WFPS's capacity for water, ice and swift water rescues by replacing the old units that reached the end of their usable lifespan, according to the city. 

"This is another great example of the innovative solutions and value for money projects being undertaken at the City of Winnipeg," Mayor Brian Bowman said in a news release. "Investment in equipment and technology that enhances public safety and the safety of our first responders is an important consideration in our annual budget planning." 

WFPS Deputy Chief Tom Wallace says the new water rescue units added onboard auxiliary power units that activate in five minutes of idle time to reduce carbon emissions. The generator will reduce the need to run the trucks engine to power lights and heating systems during long rescues, which will extend the lifespan of the truck's powertrain. 

"These new units were designed with input from a committee that included water rescue technicians, safety officers and emergency vehicle mechanics and features some very unique technology that will benefit the public and members of our water rescue team," said Wallace. "These units are more nimble because they enable the rapid delivery and deployment of the rescue boat that is stored within the vehicle." 

"By reducing the time it takes to put these units in the water, we gain valuable time during a rescue operation and can reach people faster." 

Water Rescue Program Coordinator Raj Sharma says this is going to significantly slice into their rescue time. 

"The process of getting our boats and rescuers into the water is cut down by at least two-thirds to three-quarters," said Sharma. "It used to be a process that was really physically demanding and physically dangerous where we had to drag the boat down and put it together on shore. Now we can operate more safely, more quickly and we should be able to save more lives." 

Another new feature is a rapid deployment ice rescue system that can be inflated in about a minute using a built-in inflation device. The WFPS's old water rescue units required the use of an air pump and generator to inflate ice rescue equipment. 

Sharma says the new units also have a compartment where responders can change out of and store their specialized rescue gear. 

"I think it's pretty exciting," he said. "As far as I know there aren't any units anywhere that are like this so we're kind of leading the way in that regard." 

Each unit costs $543,000 and the WFPS responds to approximately 200 water or ice rescue calls per year, according to the city.