Thirteen members of Cochrane's Fire Services are doing a recertification two day course in Kananaskis.

All full time members as well as a few casual are swift water trained. 

Cochrane Fire Services, Captain Jory Jenson, says Cochrane Fire Services are the west side swift water rescue team handling a fairly substantial area either on their own, or in partnership.

"We handle the Bow anywhere from Bearspaw out to the dam (Ghost) and then we handle the Ghost Reservoir as well, on a mutual agreement with Parks and Big Horn."

Cpt. Jenson says while the number of overall rescues this past season has not been high, you can never predict the number.

"We have probably fielded about 10 calls for our swift water rescue team this season, but the funny thing was we were actioned in the 2013 flood, we went out to Bragg and literally rescued 13 members of the public that were stranded."

Rescues are generally generated from calls of empty rafts or canoes but the team needs to be prepared for anything.

"What it is, is somebody spilled and their raft has continued and they clamoured onto the shore and onto an island. We always have the odd pick up, people will go wade out when the water is low and then the dam will open and then the next thing we are running to pick up people off the island, but then you get a day like 2013 and it all becomes very real."

Recertification happens in rolling numbers and is something the members go through every three years. Members will be out stringing high lines, using inflatable water craft, and doing swimming rescues.

Cpt. Jenson adds as a team they always need to be prepared.

"We always have to be prepared and we always have to be equipped; for the public safety we hope we never have to go. But fortunately we don't have a ton of people that get themselves into dire emergencies on the ice or in the water but it does happen."