Program Overview

The Water Rescue program’s purpose is to provide for the readiness of the District's Water Rescue resources and personnel to support water rescue needs in the San Francisco Bay, San Francisquito Creek, wetlands, and during periods of flooding.  This program provides its surrounding cities emergency Water Rescue and public services in the bay and state waterways by hosting highly trained local, State and Federal Water Rescue teams for immediate response to natural and man-made disasters 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• Oversee the regular maintenance and repair of water rescue equipment and watercraft, and replace outdated equipment as needed.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 2024-25 Accomplishments

• Enhanced water rescue capabilities through specialized training, including operations with new equipment like the Sea Doo GTX 170s and the 2025 Patriot Airboat, and leadership development for Menlo Fire and OES programs. This included annual Swiftwater, floodwater, and SEAT training, as well as equipping personnel with appropriate PPE.
• Maintained and repaired existing water rescue equipment and watercraft, while strategically procuring new assets like the Chevy 3500 Dually and a second Airboat, and planning for future acquisitions like a transport van.
• Focused on improving operational readiness by outfitting new vehicles, programming SARCOP iPad minis, and constructing dedicated deployment spaces at Station 77, as well as implementing accountability measures through the Monday program.
• Ensured safety by providing wetsuits for SF Bay rescues and managing resources effectively through equipment inventory updates and sample wetsuit purchases for future stock.
• Team Formation and Partnerships: Established interagency agreements to bolster the OES Type 1 team, organized personnel into specialized deployment teams (red, white, and blue), and facilitated CA-SFS&R3 agency participation through agreements.
• Training and Compliance Management: Implemented EMOS for efficient training and certification tracking, utilized FEMA ESF9 for online instruction, and ensured adherence to Fire Scope 162 standards, while providing leadership training for program management.
• Resource Acquisition and Financial Management: Secured and managed $90k in OES funding for water rescue training, allocating $50k towards training activities, and obtained essential replacement cache for the OES Water Rescue Team.
• Operational Development and Accountability: Supported CalOES preposition deployments, and implemented the Monday program to enhance accountability and task-oriented objectives for the CA-SFS&R3 program.

FY 2025-26 Program Initiatives

• Outfit new Rescue Jet Skis with rescue boards and complete PPE purchases, including wetsuits.
• Receive and outfit a second new Airboat with required accessories and equipment for dual-response capability.
• Train 2 new Airboat Pilots and 1 Instructor.
• Conduct Swim Endurance and Agility Training (SEAT) and provide flood/Swiftwater and mud/debris rescue operations training for OES personnel.
• Perform annual maintenance on outboard motors, restart quarterly Water Operations Workdays, and attend essential Water Rescue meetings.
• Begin succession planning for the Water Rescue Program Coordinator to include dividing the responsibility with the Menlo Water Rescue Program and the OES Water Rescue Program.
• Secure necessary transportation and protective equipment for the OES Water Rescue Team, including budgeting for a transport van, purchasing personal PPE, and acquiring a second tow vehicle and open trailer from OES.