Water Rescue & Recovery

The department has two rescue boats and the equipment needed for emergencies in our local waterways - the Rock River and its contributory rivers, local lakes and ponds, as well as during any flooding in the area. We also work closely with local law enforcement agencies and are a member of the county-wide water rescue and recovery team.

A 19' aluminum boat with a 50hp Mercury outboard engine is kept at Station One. It carries life preservers, marking buoys, underwater camera; drag bars, a multi-channel radio with GPS, first aid kit, temperature & depth gauges, emergency rescue ropes, spotlights, and cold weather floatation style suits for protection of the personnel. A second boat is kept at Station Two and is a 16ft aluminum Jon Boat with a 25hp Johnson outboard engine for lighter work. It also can be used during flooding and along a river's edge. It carries a drag bar, floatation devices, cold weather suits, emergency rescue ropes, and spotlight. We also have specialized equipment for ice rescue.

The department has been involved with many river rescues and uses dragging equipment, underwater cameras, and even the search canines.