First responders say Neoteric Hovercraft is "an awesome asset."

The Davis County, Utah Sheriff's Office has relied on a Neoteric rescue HoverTrek™ for three years now and they say it has, without question, saved lives.

The hovercraft is ideal for the terrain in Davis County. Much of the county is covered by the Great Salt Lake, and when the water is low it leaves miles of mudflats boats can't reach. A particularly hazardous area is Farmington Bay, a muddy marshland that has been the scene of chaos many times for search & rescue teams. Not long ago, the hovercraft saved some duck hunters on the bay. "We had an individual who was stuck in the mud," says DCSO Search & Rescue Commander Erik Bornemeier, "They get out there too far, then they get extremely tired and literally can't move."

 "We can't get airboats out there," he adds, "When it's extremely windy, it's hard to get an aircraft or helicopter out there, and even walking out there is impossible."

But their hovercraft overcomes these obstacles and is literally a life saver - for both victims and rescuers. "You have to get there in time, but you have to get there safely," says Bornemeier, "We were putting rescuers in harm's way, but this allows us to hover over ice, mud or water and get right to the patient - to literally reach out our hand and pull them out."

He continues, "It's built like a plane: light, fast, maneuverable. It fills that "what if" need. And it's an awesome asset to have."

Watch Davis County's hovercraft in action when Salt Lake City's Fox 13 News recently took a spin ...

First responders are saving lives worldwide with their Neoteric rescue hovercraft ...

Read their reports ...

VIDEO: Moncton’s Neoteric Hovercraft Prepares to Rescue Snowmobilers

The spring melt is well underway in many parts of the world, and those areas where first responders have a Neoteric hovercraft available for ice rescues are exceptionally well-prepared. Those that don’t? Well, you might want to watch this video about the Moncton Fire Department in Canada …

Moncton’s first responders are not only equipped with the most effective ice, mud and water rescue vehicle available, they’ve thoroughly trained to use it. When they purchased their craft in 2012, Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, who is Hovercraft Training Centers’ Senior Flight Instructor, traveled to Canada with HTC Flight Instructor Steve Stafford to conduct intensive pilot training on Moncton’s new 6-passenger rescue hovercraft.

Moncton’s training was interesting – it included having the hovercraft run over a firefighter! Canada’s Global News reported, “Moncton Fire Department Captain Steve Crawford said it was a “strange sensation” to have the department’s new hovercraft run him over in the city’s McLaughlin Road reservoir yesterday. Crawford played the victim in a demonstration of its latest piece of high-tech emergency equipment. Wearing a helmet and life jacket, he was dropped into the water, and then the hovercraft, piloted by Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. founder Chris Fitzgerald, flew out to rescue him. To demonstrate just how safe the craft is, Fitzgerald literally drove over Crawford before the sopping wet firefighter was scooped out of the water.”

“You know it’s not going to hurt you, but it’s a strange sensation to have any sort of craft fly over you,” Crawford said.

During training, Fire Chief Eric Arsenault said the hovercraft is a “great addition to our toolbox,” adding it is quicker to deploy than a boat. The hovercraft can be taken from its trailer and be in the water in minutes.

Hundreds of people die in ice-related accidents each year in the United States alone, but many fire departments and rescue organizations haven’t yet recognized the importance of hovercraft as an ice, mud and water rescue tool. “You need fire departments like Moncton that are prepared to be first adopters,” Fitzgerald said. “They’re really pioneers.”

How can your department determine if a hovercraft would improve you first responders’ rescue capabilities? An easy, low-cost way is to take a hovercraft Test Flight or Flight Training Course.

Read how first responders use their Neoteric rescue hovercraft ...

VIDEO: Neoteric featured on Indiana Outdoor Adventures

Here’s your chance to view one of the most informative hovercraft videos you’ll ever see – and to get a glimpse of the expertise behind Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. and Hovercraft Training Centers, LLC.

Indiana Outdoor Adventures, a TV program broadcast to more than 44 million households across the U.S., has aired an episode devoted to Neoteric Hovercraft. In it, you’ll see Neoteric hovercraft in action, watch them being built, and hear Neoteric founder and president Chris Fitzgerald, one of the world's foremost authorities on hovercraft,  discuss everything about hovercraft … how they came about, how they work, their capabilities, why they’re so safe, the background story of Bubba’s Hover … and lots more.

According to Indiana Outdoor Adventures, the response to the show has been extremely positive, exemplified by the following email from one viewer:

“Amazing! Mr. Fitzgerald seems like a really interesting man. I could listen to him talk all day. I think fire and rescue departments would really like to have these, especially in areas where ice fishing is popular. Thanks for producing another great show!”

We think your response will be the same! Watch now …

Our thanks go out to Steve Stafford of Project H.E.R.O. and Hovercraft Training Centers, as well as to the Perry Clear Creek Fire Department for their invaluable assistance in organizing and performing in the filming of this episode. Perry Clear Creek first responders and their Neoteric rescue hovercraft conducted the ice rescue demonstration in the program.