ABOUT PCWRT

Water Rescue

Our divers respond to emergency calls for individuals in distress, working closely with fire and rescue units to provide life-saving aid in lakes, rivers, and other waterways.

Evidence Recovery

We assist law enforcement in the retrieval of critical items from underwater environments, helping solve cases and support investigations with professionalism and precision.

Search & Recovery

From missing persons to lost property, our team is trained to conduct thorough underwater searches in challenging conditions, bringing closure and answers to families and communities.

Public Safety Support

We work hand-in-hand with local agencies during community events and water activities, ensuring safety measures are in place and standing by in case of emergency.

Training & Preparedness

Team members undergo continuous training in diving, rescue techniques, and safety protocols. Regular drills and certifications keep our divers ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Community Outreach

Beyond emergency response, we’re committed to educating the public about water safety. We participate in events, offer demonstrations, and engage with schools and organizations to raise awareness.

The Portage County Water Rescue Team was founded in 2001 after the need arose in our County to have specially trained people to safely perform water rescues. The initial team started off with 5 Portage County Fire departments creating a group of 30 individuals trained in flooding, swiftwater, surface ice rescue, rescue diving as well as salvage & recovery of vehicles or boats that are creating an immediate environmental or public hazard.

In 2026 our team will be 25 years old and now consists of 90 members from 19 public safety departments in and adjoining Portage County.

Our dedicated volunteer members fall into one of 4 groups on our team;

Divers: for all under the water or under the ice operations
Shore Support: These members are the soul of our team, doing everything above the water from interviewing witnesses, getting divers dressed, getting equipment set up, communicating with the divers while they are under the water and making sure that the divers are searching in the correct location.
Family Liaison: These very special members will stay with the family and friends of the victims that we are there to help and provide them with whatever they may need during the operation.
Drone Pilots: Our team has 7 certified drone pilots to operate our rescue drone, our drone has many capabilities and can light up large areas from overhead when it is dark, it can carry life jackets to victims trapped in flooded waters and has a thermal camera that can see the heat of a body through the dark.