A new emergency response vessel will soon be serving residents and visitors of Franklin County on Rend Lake.
The 20 foot Boston Whaler, named Marine 1, was acquired by the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency through the federal surplus property program.
The vessel will soon be stationed at the Rend Lake Marina to increase response times by local public safety agencies to emergency situations that occur on Rend Lake.
Marine 1 will be primarily utilized by the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Special Operations Teams as well as other partner agencies when the need arises.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close the Rend Lake Dam Road to traffic this week for engineers to perform routine maintenance and inspection of the Dam.
The closure will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24.
Access to the South Marcum Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and the Dedication Lot on the east end of the Rend Lake Dam will remain open.
Closure signs will be posted at Sugar Creek parking lot and the west entrance to the Rend Lake Dam near the Visitor Center.
For further information, contact the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-742-2493.
