The Lubbock Fire Rescue's Dive team is upgrading its equipment for when firefighters take the plunge.
Lubbock Firefighter, Kasey Davis, said it all started with a trip to the Caribbean.
"I got engaged on my rookie year in the fire department and for our honeymoon I thought it'd be awesome for me and my wife to do scuba diving together."
Davis said his hobby turned into an expansion of his career. The firefighter now doubles as a dive instructor for the department.
"The water we dive in here isn't as glorious as the Caribbean but, still, it's still pretty cool to be able to do what we do."
The Lubbock Fire Rescue Dive Team is making a splash with the new equipment. Davis said the biggest safety for divers is comfort.
"It allows us to focus on the job at hand and trust our gear and be comfortable in it."
With playa lakes, creeks, Lake Alan Henry and more, the team has responded to five different incidents.
However, the new equipment comes at a price of 75-hundred dollars.
Division Chief Steve Holland said the department has been approved for a grant to help fund the equipment.
"The money for this new equipment we have came out of our budget for this year. However, we have been approved for a South Plains Association of Government grant."
The grant would provide full gear for six or more divers.
"It's close to $40,000. Right under $40,000 for those six personnel."
It's not just the new gear for the dive team, but it would be able to expand its coverage through this grant.
"Right now if our team gets called out, they can effectively only do one dive incident at a time."
Chief Holland said they find out if they receive the grant this October.
