Turkey Creek Fire and Rescue purchasing jet ski to help with water rescues

ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Turkey Creek Fire and Rescue will soon purchase a jet ski to use during water rescues.

Leaders at the fire department said the jet ski will give them faster response times since they require less manpower, which will be live-saving. This will be especially helpful since they are seeing an increase in water rescues due to rip currents and weather.

They currently have two boats to use and cover the New River, the Intracoastal Waterway and North Topsail Beach.

The Onslow County Board of Commissioners approved $25,000 for it last week. The money is coming out of the county’s tourism funds. Vice Chairman Robin Knapp said this is because enhancing tourism is a priority for them, and this will benefit both out-of-state citizens and North Carolinians coming to visit.

“I can’t think of a better way to use tourism funding,” Knapp said. “It’s a piece of life-saving equipment that the Turkey Creek Fire Rescue Squad needs, and it enhances the safety of all the citizens and the visitors and tourists that come to this county.”

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