While navigating swift-moving, dangerous floodwaters, Richmond Fire Department’s inflatable rescue boat had a 4-foot hole torn in its bottom.
RFD learned lessons Aug. 12 while helping execute 29 water rescues, and Deputy Chief Matt Baker talked about the experiences during the Aug. 17 Richmond Common Council meeting.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Lynn Fire Department and a private citizen also provided boats during the hectic hours when the Whitewater River flooded downtown Cambridge City. Baker said that RFD personnel needed to supplement the boat’s 30-horsepower engine with oars, so a 40-horsepower jet-propulsion engine likely would be more effective for the rescues.
Council member Jane Bumbalough thanked RFD for its efforts, saying she had family members rescued by RFD personnel.
A second inflatable would also benefit the department, Baker said. With one boat in Cambridge City, RFD crews used an older, metal boat to conduct rescues within Richmond.
RFD also struggled to communicate with state and local agencies using an 800 megahertz radio system. State agencies switched to 800 megahertz previously, and all Wayne County volunteer fire departments are in the process of converting to 800 megahertz as part of a countywide emergency communications project.
In addition to the damaged boat, RFD lost two radios when another rescue boat capsized, and a Ford Explorer command vehicle was submerged by floodwaters. It had been relocated once before the water reached it.
Richmond Police Department also sent seven officers and its BearCat armored vehicle to Cambridge City. The BearCat’s ground clearance enabled it to traverse floodwaters other vehicles could not, said Chief Kyle Weatherly. The BearCat enabled officers to conduct rescue operations house-by-house.
With some officers in Cambridge City, RPD continued to respond within the city, handling 150 patrol calls across 24 hours.
“There are no jurisdictional boundaries when it comes to the service we provide,” Weatherly said.
T.L. Bosell, the city’s street superintendent, said 15 streets, mostly on the northwest side, were closed by water. Street crews also worked to rescue stranded residents while helping clear drain inlets. By Aug. 13, crews were clearing downed trees and sweeping debris-strewn roadways.
Richmond Sanitary District recently completed construction of a new levy, and the levy handled the floodwaters. Pat Smoker, director of RSD, said the wastewater plant normally receives 18 million gallons per day, but it handled 70 million Aug. 12 because of the heavy rains.
Smoker said there were 26 overflows Aug. 12 when there had been fewer than 20 in the previous 12 months combined.
Richmond’s parks also were impacted, with trails washed out and debris and silt covering parks.
“We’re going to be restoring our parks as soon as we can,” said Denise Retz, the parks superintendent.
A version of this article appeared in the August 26 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
