On August 15,2010 at approximately 12:20 pm Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue Fire Boat received a page out regarding a structure fire involving elderly pople on West Lake Okoboji.  Fireman responded to the fire page. They were both in the fire boat IA 5409 AY wearing life jackets heading toward the east side of the HWY 71 underpass to cross into West Lake Okoboji.  As the fireman (operator1) entered under the bridge a blue runabout vessel IA3961 BE  was east bound under the bridge.  Operator1 began to reverse speed and direction of the fire boat but was unable to prevent a collision of the two boats.  There was minor damage to the vessel2 with no injuries.  It is the opinion of Officer that operator1 was operating reasonable and safely when responding in an emergency fashion with the fire boat.  Operator2 was confused about the location of the siren sound, thinking that it was actually coming from the highway above, not from the water.
OKOBOJI                       