Program Overview

The Water Rescue (WR) program is designed to provide resources to Water Rescue teams for immediate response to natural and man-made disasters and emergencies involving water. 

Management Oversight

The WR program is managed by the Division Chief of Operations, with oversight responsibilities delegated to the Battalion Chief and program coordinator. The program does not have any full-time equivalent employees. It covers expenses related to general supplies, equipment purchases, contract services, fixed assets, and overtime for training and program administration.

Goals and Objectives

• Train personnel in local, state, and federal water rescue operations, with a focus on both flood and swift water rescue techniques.
• Oversee the regular maintenance and repair of water rescue equipment and watercraft, and replace outdated equipment as needed.
• Secure contractual agreements with both in-county and out-of-county agencies to provide qualified Water Rescue personnel for the OES Type 1 team.
• Provide specialized training for personnel on the operation and maintenance of the new Sea Doo GTX 170 Rescue Jet Skis and simple repairs on all outboard motors used by the program.
• Conduct the annual SEAT training, including enhanced swim tests for Water Rescue personnel and self-survival swimming training for Menlo Deck Hands. Supply Rescue Swimmers with wetsuits for non-contaminated water rescues.

FY 2023-24 Accomplishments

• Launched the California Swift Water / Flood Water Search Rescue Three (CA-SFS&R3) webpages and secured $90k in CalOES grant funds for water rescue training.
• Supported 3 CalOES CA-SFS&R3 preposition deployments and developed a draft agreement for Participating Agencies to join CA-SFS&R3, with 5 agencies signed on.
• Successfully purchased 2 new Sea Doo GTX170 Water Rescue Skis, an Inflatable Rubber Boat (IRB), and updated rope gear, radios, and personalized PPE.
• Applied for and secured an Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) for a second Airboat, and finalized a contract for delivery in November 2024.
• Completed Swiftwater and Floodwater Training, the annual Swim Test, Swim Endurance and Agility Training (SEAT), and trained new Airboat pilots.
• Reconfigured the OES Cache with new equipment, including portable radios, ropes, hardware, and Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP) devices, and purchased a new Chevy 3500 Dually for local and OES responses.

FY 2024-25 Program Initiatives

• Outfit new Rescue Jet Skis with rescue boards and complete PPE purchases, including wetsuits.
• Enhance QR code access to Water Rescue inventory and present the replacement Rigid Hull Boat to the Fire Chief for approval.
• Receive and outfit a new Airboat with required accessories and equipment; purchase a second Airboat for dual-response capability.
• Train 2 new Airboat Pilots, 1 Instructor, and all Pilots on the new Airboat, completing the break-in period.
• Conduct Swim Endurance and Agility Training (SEAT) and provide flood/swiftwater operations training for OES personnel.
• Perform annual maintenance on outboard motors, implement quarterly Water Operations Workdays, and attend essential Water Rescue meetings.