Rescue Teams Deployed : Storms: Firefighters and lifeguards keep watch along the flood control channels in the first real test of a new Los Angeles swift-water emergency system.

With a days-long onslaught of storms predicted and the dramatic death of a Woodland Hills youth in the Los Angeles River still generating lawsuits, rescue teams of Los Angeles city firefighters and lifeguards were deployed along flood control channels for the first time Wednesday.

The city Fire Department posted four rescue teams--each composed of four firefighters and two Los Angeles County lifeguards--on standby to pull victims out of runoff-filled channels, more than a year after 15-year-old Adam Bischoff was swept to his death.

David and Marilyn Bischoff, the boy’s parents, filed suits last week against neighboring property owners and several government agencies, including the city Fire Department, saying the agencies should have been better prepared for water rescues.

“We should have done it sooner,” said City Councilwoman Joy Picus, referring to the deployment of swift-water teams. Picus, who initiated a call from the City Council for improved rescue techniques and equipment soon after the boy’s death, said she was pleased with the new rescue teams.

“Better later than not at all,” she said. “Hopefully we will prevent the loss of life by being better prepared now.”

The Los Angeles River Rescue Task Force, which includes city and county fire departments, the Department of Beaches and Harbors and other agencies, was formed shortly after the boy’s death to develop rescue strategies and coordinate efforts.

County lifeguards and firefighters wanted to do more to prepare for rescues in flood control channels earlier but could not get the money needed, said Lt. Mickey Gallagher, coordinator of the county lifeguards rescue program.

“Several of the organizations involved have been working on trying to get more water rescue equipment and training since the early ‘70s,” he said. “Because of the drought it was a low priority.”

The city rescue teams are based at two fire stations in Van Nuys--one upstream from Sepulveda Basin and one downstream--as well as at a station near the Los Angeles River in Mount Washington and one in Mar Vista near Ballona Creek. County teams--made up of county firefighters and county lifeguards--are stationed at county fire stations near flood control channels.

City rescue teams will be on standby from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on rainy days, Ennis said. Rescuers will start night duty after they complete special night training at an undetermined future date.

Their equipment includes small inflatable rafts, water nets that rescuers string across rivers to catch victims, flotation vests, wet suits and helmets. Training, equipment and the costs of deployment used up the $220,000 onetime budget allocation from the City Council for the rescue improvements, said Assistant City Fire Chief Thomas Ennis.

County Lifeguard Capt. Robert Buchanan said each year there are about 100 reports of people sighted in waterways and flood control channels in the county, with about 40 confirmed victims, of whom about six usually drown.

Ennis said the city rescue teams have responded to 16 calls for swift-water rescues in city territory this year, although officials reported no known rescues. Most of the calls are believed to have been false alarms, they indicated.

County fire officials said at least six people have been pulled out by county firefighters this year, but not from flood control channels. During last month’s storms, five people were plucked by helicopter from the roof of a van stranded in a San Fernando Valley creek, and a 17-year-old boy was rescued from a rushing Agoura Hills stream.

In addition, San Fernando police pulled two boys out of Pacoima Wash last week, and a 14-year-old Sylmar boy jumped into Pacoima Wash the week before and rescued a 10-year-old Van Nuys boy.

Besides improving rescue techniques and communications among different city and county emergency agencies, officials have also stressed prevention. A week ago, city and county officials unveiled an educational program for schools, utilizing reading materials and a video aimed at keeping children from straying into flood control channels.