Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Swim-A-Thon

Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Swim-A-Thon To Benefit Lakewood and Rocky River Fire Fighters. All photos property of the Lakewood Observer, Inc. ©2020

(click photo to enlarge)

  • Rocky River Rec Center all ready for the Lakewood, Rocky River Rotary Swim-A-Thon.

  • Tables set up for presntations on the Rotary, The Rec Center, and of course Lakewood and Rocky River Fire Departments.

  • Lakewood, Rocky River Rotary, our hosts.

  • Lakewood Fire Chief, Tim Dunphy and Rocky River Fire Chief, Aaron Lenart at the door greeting guests.

  • A balloon marks the entrance.

  • Lakewood Mayor Meghan George meets Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Membership Director and Swim-A-Thon event coordinator Harlan Radford.

  • Fire Chief Dunphy explains just how important Harlan is to getting the needed equipment.

  • Speaking of equipment, we could sure use some more of these pocket heat source infrared locators...

  • Meanwhile Lakewood Fire Department's Captain Nypaver and Captain Chaky get the boat ready for the pool. They fill it with the same respirator air tanks already on every fire truck.

  • But first, some of the supporting Swim-A-Thon swimmers stop by to say hello, and thank the firefighters for all they do.

  • This wild little boat is designed to help get people aboard in many ways. In the old days you would have to drag a person over the hard edge of the side of the boat onto a hard floor.

  • This boat provides ropes for people to hang onto, soft edges, and an open front and back, allowing easy transfer of victims from the water into the boat.

  • In this re-enactment, the "drowing man" will be played by Firefighter Dominic Schirripa.

  • He is rescued by pulling him through the front of the boat.

  • In and safe.

  • From the back to the front: Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, Firefighter Joe Kappa, Captain Dean, Captain Nypaver, Captain Chaky and Firefighter Dominic Schirripa. Thanks to Lakewood Fire Department for another amazing demonstration, and everything else you do.

  • Here you can see the front of the boat.

  • It has also been used for people that have fallen and are stuck on the cliffs of the canyon.

  • Swim-A-Thon event coordinator Harlan Radford addresses the people at the presentation of the check.

  • Lakewood Mayor Meghan George and Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst adress the crowd.

  • Rocky River Fire Chief, Aaron Lenart

  • Fire Chief, Aaron Lenart, talks about how important this help was.

  • Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy explains that firefighter physical rehabilitation after an injury or just keeping in shape is important.

  • Presentation of the Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary big check for $5,000. I personally love "big check" presentations, especially for this crew, everyone a hero.
    From left to right: Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst, Rocky River Fire Chief, Aaron Lenart, Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary President Marjorie Corrigan, and Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Membership Director and Swim-A-Thon event organizer Harlan Radford.

  • From left to right: Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst, Rocky River Fire Chief, Aaron Lenart, Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary President Marjorie Corrigan, and Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Membership Director and Swim-A-Thon event organizer Harlan Radford.

  • Fire Chief Aaron Lenart thanks Harlan Radford.

  • Mayor Pamela Bobst gives Harlan Radford a big hug.

  • Mayor George thanks Harlan Radford and Rotary President Marjorie Corrigan.

  • Fire Chief Dunphy stops by, thanking everyone again.

  • The check will be used to purchase some of the $15,000 in rehabilitation equipment both Fire Departments are looking to secure.

  • Home for the event, the Rocky River Rec Center.

  • Home for the event, the Rocky River Rec Center.

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