PADI is the world’s largest organization for diver training. Currently, there are 30 people involved in the continuous training program and the firefighters regularly update their training, at least quarterly, in order to remain certified.

Unfortunately, the firefighters have had the occasion more than once to use their underwater diving training to locate drowning victims because of the close proximity to Lake Gaston and the Roanoke River and the summertime surge of boaters, fishermen and vacationers.

The original training involved more than 160 hours of intensive exercise over the course of two summers. Of the twelve certified diving instructors, seven are from the Littleton Fire Department.

Students received training in diving, search and recovery, deep diving, navigation, accident scene techniques, equipment care and maintenance, and more.

Kevin Kupietz, the HCC Fire Service and EMS coordinator said, "Sometimes, as in last month’s (March) training, the water temperature is 50 degrees or less! Visibility is often very good in cold water, but at that temperature, I could not feel my fingers by the end of the day!" Black water training – when visibility is zero - is another special aspect of the intensive river training the divers undergo.

A new program for master diver’s certification begins at Halifax Community College each spring. Class size is limited due to the intensity of training.