Eugene Firefighters Train for Cold-Water Vehicle Rescues

Crews practice emergency response drills in the Willamette River every Friday this month.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Throughout January, the Eugene Springfield Fire Department has been conducting weekly training exercises to prepare for potential water rescues involving vehicles. Firefighters and paramedics head to the Willamette River each Friday to practice techniques for reaching and extracting victims from submerged cars, using a donated prop vehicle to simulate real-world conditions.

Why it matters

While vehicle water rescues are relatively rare, the Eugene Fire Department says it's crucial to be prepared, as these types of emergencies can be extremely hazardous for first responders. The training helps ensure crews have the skills and confidence to respond effectively if such a situation were to occur.

The details

During the training drills, firefighters work on various rescue methods, including using ropes and anchoring systems to access vehicles in the water. They also practice breaking windows and removing victims through the car's openings. "The pretend equipment works for a scenario to make it as realistic as it can be," said Captain Jesse Donahue, leader of the Water Rescue Team. "We're able to get the prop in the place, that was fairly realistic. [It] made it challenging yet safe and I think everybody had a positive experience."

  • Throughout the month of January 2026, Eugene Springfield Fire has been conducting the water rescue training.
  • The drills take place every Friday on the Willamette River.

The players

Eugene Springfield Fire Department

The fire department serving the cities of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, which has been leading the cold-water vehicle rescue training.

Jesse Donahue

Captain and leader of the Water Rescue Team at the Eugene Springfield Fire Department.

Britni Green

A firefighter and paramedic with the Eugene Springfield Fire Department who participated in the training.

Rachel Ulm

A firefighter and paramedic with the Eugene Springfield Fire Department who participated in the training.

Albany Fire Department

Provided a prop car used by the Eugene Springfield Fire Department for the training exercises.

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What they’re saying

“When you're in the water and moving and focusing on a task you don't really think about it, it's just like when we're doing anything fire-related. We don't think about the discomfort while you're getting a job done.”

— Britni Green, Firefighter and Paramedic

“They're rare, but they do happen for us. Those rare events are more hazardous for us because we don't have the practice of doing it.”

— Jesse Donahue, Captain, Water Rescue Team

“I've never done a drill like this, so being able to get out and just see what it's like dealing with somebody who's entrapped with a car and being able to pull them out of the windows and just the different rope systems that we have to use to be able to do that was pretty new for me, so it was a good experience.”

— Rachel Ulm, Firefighter and Paramedic

“To not have that victim mentality is really, probably, the number one thing most people can do to help themselves. So, if you can get yourself out, absolutely do.”

— Jesse Donahue, Captain, Water Rescue Team

What’s next

The Eugene Springfield Fire Department plans to continue the cold-water vehicle rescue training throughout the year, adjusting the timing to experience different seasonal conditions.

The takeaway

This training highlights the importance of first responders being prepared for rare but high-risk emergencies, as well as the need for the public to be educated on how to respond if their vehicle ends up in the water. The drills help ensure the Eugene Fire Department is equipped to handle these challenging situations effectively.