Lawrence firefighters, from left, Joe Mehl, Scott Dieker, Pat Talkington and Brian Patterson practice water rescue maneuvers in the Kansas River. About 20 firefighters participated in the activities Thursday.

The water near the Bowersock Dam on the Kansas River seemed like a decent place for a reprieve from Thursday’s stifling heat.

But the firefighters jetting around in rescue boats were all business.

“Basically, it’s so we can be prepared for any emergency that can hit the citizens that we protect,” said Brandon Holloman, the water-rescue trainer for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical.

Holloman led about 20 firefighters who simulated rescuing a fisherman from the dam and other swift-water scenarios that may be useful during flash flooding.

It also allowed the firefighters to test a yellow paddle boat, known as a rapid-deployment craft. The boat has open ends that allow firefighters to more easily pull people from water into the boat, Holloman said. They can also use the boat as a sled during ice rescues.

The department recently received a federal grant for its water and other special rescue equipment.

Firefighters at Station No. 3, 3708 W. Sixth St., specialize in swift-water rescue, but Thursday’s session ended six days in two weeks of all department firefighters receiving basic water-rescue training.

Holloman said the department had not handled any major incidents in the last few years. But the area does present a challenge because of the various bodies of water and the potential for flash flooding during heavy rains, he said.