A Hyde Park company donated an iron gate that allows river rescue teams to access the Kiski River at the Roaring Run Trail in Kiski Township.
Previously, poles blocked all vehicles from backing down the ramp to launch motorboats at the Roaring Run trail launch, said Ken Kaminski, board president for the watershed group.
The launch is for canoes and kayaks, not motorboats.
Depending on water levels, many sections of the Kiski aren’t deep enough for motorboats.
During one specific event, emergency responders had to enter the Kiski Township portion of the river to reach an emergency scene. About eight emergency responders had to carry their rescue boat to the launch, said Randy Dunmire, chief of Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 1.
“It took more than 12 to 15 minutes to carry the boat versus backing our trailer right to the river and launching, which takes two to three minutes,” he said.
Local fire companies and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission approached the watershed association and requested better access to the Kiski River at Roaring Run.
“We wanted to help the emergency services with their response times,” Kaminski said. “We didn’t want them to have to go to the Avonmore public launch or a private launch in North Vandergrift to put in.”
The association worked with Kiski Precision Industries of Hyde Park, which donated a 5-foot by 8-foot iron gate that rescue teams can open.
Association volunteers recently installed the gate.
“This will enhance emergency responses in the Apollo and Kiski Township areas of the Kiski River,” Dunmire said.
Water rescue crews are called several times a year to rescue boaters on the Kiski or to help locate missing people, he said.
Fire departments in Vandergrift, North Apollo and Allegheny Township are members of the Armstrong County Task Force 340 water rescue team.
“We’ve rescued a guy who went ice fishing, and a horse, but most times we are looking for missing people,” Dunmire said. “Don’t underestimate the dangers of the Kiski.
“Although it looks calm and nonthreatening, it’s a fast-running river, and anybody doing recreation and boating should always wear a life jacket and be prepared for emergencies.”
