New Policy After Crews Watch Man Die In San Francisco Bay

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Fire officials are changing their water rescue policy after crews did not try to save a suicidal man who waded into San Francisco Bay and died after about an hour in the water.

   Alameda Interim Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi said Tuesday he directed staff to write a new policy that would allow commanders at the scene to attempt a water rescue.

   The previous policy strictly forbade such attempts. It was implemented after budget cuts forced the department to discontinue water rescue training and stop maintaining wetsuits and other rescue gear.

   Witnesses told KGO-TV fire crews and police watched as the unidentified 57-year-old man stood up to his neck in the frigid waters at Crown Memorial State Beach Monday morning. His lifeless body was pulled out about an hour later.

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)