5 River Rest Drive

5 River Rest Drive
Milanville, PA 18443

DELAWARE RIVER — In the end, the kayaker was safe at home and he didn't know that seven fire departments and the New York State Police were readying to search the river for him. 

Here's how it came down: 

The call came in at 6:39 p.m. on October 31 from 5 River Rest Drive, a small road off of River Road, heading toward Milanville, PA. The resident reported seeing an upsidedown kayak, lifejacket and paddle floating downstream.  He reported that he notices a kayaker every day paddling up the river and coming down. He didn't know who the person was or where they lived, he just knew the kayaker, visually by his routine trips past his house.  

Beach Lake Vol. Fire Department received the call. 

Narrowsburg Fire Department and the Sullivan County Dive Taskforce were dispatched to give mutual aid to Beach Lake Fire Department.

When  Narrowsburg Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Stuart, also a member of the Sullivan County Dive Taskforce,  arrived at the DEC landing in Narrowsburg, he requested mutual aid from Rock Hill Vol. Fire Department and Roscoe/Rockland Vol. Fire Department for their Swiftwater Rescue Teams.  Lumberland Vol. Fire Department was called for their airboat.   NY State Police were standing by as well.  Forest Fire Department was called for mutual aid by Beach Lake.

Stuart was dispatched to 5 River Rest Drive to aid with communications there. About 50 minutes into the scene, a passerby stopped at 5 River Rest Drive, and said that she had transported the kayaker to his home.  Beach Lake Fire Department Chief Tony Franklin verified the information.

All responding mutual aid departments were released to return to service.  

Volunteer fire companies generally have weekly drills to practice skills and interdepartmental and battalion communication. Tonight, they practiced in a real scenario.  

More details to follow.