Here comes the rain again: Anaheim Fire, other agencies ready for swift-water rescues

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Rain has arrived and more is forecast for Saturday night, Jan. 30, and Sunday, Jan. 31 — not an El Niño event, meteorologists say, but a reminder that the potentially destructive “conveyor belt” series of storms still is predicted to slam the region this winter.

Anaheim Fire & Rescue, as well as other Orange County fire service agencies, are prepared.

Anaheim Fire Capt. Albert Watson helps coordinate the crews of Anaheim Engines 6 and 7 over the Orangewood Ave. bridge during a swift water drill. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Anaheim Fire Capt. Albert Watson helps coordinate the crews of Anaheim Engines 6 and 7 over the Orangewood Avenue bridge during the regional swift-water drill.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Behind the Badge OC earlier this month was on hand to watch firefighters participate in a joint Anaheim Fire & Rescue, Garden Grove Fire Department and Orange City Fire swift-water rescue drill at the Santa Ana River (to read story, click here.)

Photographer Steven Georges also captured a much-larger regional drill, at various spots along the Santa Ana River from Lakeview Avenue in Anaheim down to the beach, on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

See images below, as well as file photos of police agencies warning homeless people living in storm drains to get to higher ground during the rains.

An Orange County Fire Authority rescue helicopter flies flies past Angel Stadium during while keeping an eye on the Santa Ana River during a swift water rescue drill. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

An Orange County Fire Authority rescue helicopter flies past Angel Stadium during while keeping an eye on the Santa Ana River during a swift-water rescue drill Jan. 13.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Rescue crews from Anaheim Fire & Rescue use a fire hose filled with air as a floating lifeline over the Santa Ana River Orangewood Ave. bridge during a swift water rescue drill. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Crews from Anaheim Fire & Rescue use a fire hose filled with air as a floating lifeline over the Santa Ana River during a swift-water rescue drill.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

An Orange County Fire Authority rescue helicopter scans the Santa Ana River during a multi-agency swift water rescue drill. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

An Orange County Fire Authority rescue helicopter scans the Santa Ana River.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Officers from Fullerton PD and La Habra PD walk through flood control tunnels near Harbor Blvd. and Imperial Hwy. looking for homeless people that might be living there, which would be dangerous should it rain. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Officers from the Fullerton and La Habra PDs walk through flood-control tunnels near Harbor Boulevard and Imperial Highway looking for homeless people that might be living there.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Garden Grove officers walk through the storm drain tunnels under Brookhurst St. where people were living. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Garden Grove PD officers walk through the storm drain tunnels under Brookhurst Street where people were living.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Officers from Fullerton PD, left, and La Habra PD walk through narrow flood control tunnels covered in graffiti near Harbor Blvd. and Imperial Hwy. looking for homeless people that might be living there, which would be dangerous should it rain. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Officers from the Fullerton PD, left, and La Habra PD walk through narrow flood-control tunnels covered in graffiti near Harbor Boulevard and Imperial Highway.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC