Firefighter: 'Heroic' Water Rescue Could've Been a 'Crapshoot'

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen paid special tribute Monday to a group of Hampton firefighters and police officers who helped safely rescue two swimmers from a dangerous Hampton Beach rip tide last month.

Shaheen said the "heroism" and "skill" displayed by these individuals on July 25 is a perfect example of why first responders are so "fundamental" to New Hampshire communities. Because of this, Shaheen urged the community that it's "important not to take for granted" the work they do "every day," especially since many of things that aid these individuals are among the first things cut during tough budget seasons.

The video above depicts Shaheen discussing the water rescue and the training that helped make it possible during a ceremony Monday at the Hampton Beach fire station to recognize firefighters and police officers with a Congressional Record statement. 

Fire Chief Chris Silver said three individuals in particular deserved special recognition Monday: Firefighters Jed Carpentier and Kyle Jameson, and Police Officer James Deluca Hampton, all of whom played a key role during the rescue. 

Carpentier and Jameson downplayed their heroism Monday, though, with the former stating that any member of the department "could've been in a position to be called out" for the July 25 water rescue, or any other incident involving a rescue of some kind. 

Carpentier said it's "great" for the department to receive recognition because it helps the town and state see what they're doing, although he said he and other members of Shift 1 were "just getting out there" and doing their jobs on July 25.

That job has been drastically changed in the recent years, as $4 million in grant funding secured by Shaheen has helped Hampton undergo specialized water rescue training. A series of sessions were held in 2012, and thanks to that grant as well as wetsuits and equipment donated by Cinnamon Rainbows, the way Hampton responds to calls in the ocean has markedly improved, according to Carpentier.

"We didn't have the training or the equipment a few years ago," said Carpentier, who said the wetsuits alone make a significant difference because there have been rescues in the past were firefighters have entered the early stages of hypothermia while attempting to save swimmers in distress. "In years past, we probably would've attempted it, but it could've been more of a crapshoot."