The Airport-Sorgho Fire Department added another tool to their toolbox with the acquisition of a hovercraft earlier this year. Also referred to as an air-cushion vehicle (ACV), the hovercraft can seamlessly travel over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces.
Fire Chief Pat Thompson said that the regional landscape had changed drastically over the past 15 years with an increase in flash flooding. The ACV was an afterthought for the past 2 years before the board of directors decided to move forward with the purchase.
“Two rivers border us, and there are several lakes in the area, so it seemed logical to add water rescue to our mission statement,” Thompson said. “We thought about adding a boat but decided a hovercraft would be more practical, allowing us to seamlessly transition from land to water.”
Air propels the vehicle, which is without an inboard or outboard motor and often travels over hills, concrete, flooded structures, roadways, and fields. Neoteric Hovercraft Inc. out of Terre Haute produces the ACVs and provides countless hours of training to the department upon purchase.
The rescue vehicle has a fiberglass body and rides solely on air by inflating sidewall air cushions and surface skimmers. It seats up to six passengers and is presently the only one available in the county.
“If the City of Owensboro or another department had an issue that didn’t affect Sorgho and needed the hovercraft, we could lend a hand,” Thompson said. “It has several options and capabilities that large boats can’t provide. The best thing is we don’t have to have water to train.”
Airport-Sorgho Fire Department sent four firefighters to Terre Haute for training. Because of its versatility, they can avoid the muddied waters of the Ohio River and conduct exercises at Panther Creek Park.
While the hovercraft brings its fair share of advantages, Thompson said it does have some limitations. The vehicle isn’t equipped to perform any pulling or recovery missions.
