Dive Ice and Swift Water Team
For almost four decades, the South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District (SECFPD) has been in operation serving locally and providing support to surrounding communities in public safety diving. The SECFPD Dive Team started in 1982 as a way to respond to civilian assistance and rescue in the Fox River, creeks, ponds and small lakes located within our district’s boundaries.
The team initially started out with only two members, dive equipment was owned by one member while the district provided equipment for the other. As the SECFPD grew into an all-hazards rescue service, the dive team grew with it. Currently, the district owns and operates two rescue boats, and a dive response van. Four frontline divers make up the current district team, yet when coupled with division assets the crew could include up to 30 certified divers. The SECFPD Dive Team is currently one of the 24-hour emergency rescue dive teams in northern Kane County.
Today, the purpose of the SECFPD Dive Team has expanded to include EMS, search and rescue, recovery, ice rescue, boat operations, mutual aid, and law enforcement evidence assistance. As the duties of the SECFPD Dive Team expand, so too has the demand to evolve our technology, training, and protocols. Our mission, however, remains constant: to provide the highest quality service to the citizens of South Elgin and surrounding mutual aid departments.
For almost four decades, the South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District (SECFPD) has been in operation serving locally and providing support to surrounding communities in public safety diving. The SECFPD Dive Team started in 1982 as a way to respond to civilian assistance and rescue in the Fox River, creeks, ponds and small lakes located within our district’s boundaries.
The team initially started out with only two members, dive equipment was owned by one member while the district provided equipment for the other. As the SECFPD grew into an all-hazards rescue service, the dive team grew with it. Currently, the district owns and operates two rescue boats, and a dive response van. Four frontline divers make up the current district team, yet when coupled with division assets the crew could include up to 30 certified divers. The SECFPD Dive Team is currently one of the 24-hour emergency rescue dive teams in northern Kane County.
Today, the purpose of the SECFPD Dive Team has expanded to include EMS, search and rescue, recovery, ice rescue, boat operations, mutual aid, and law enforcement evidence assistance. As the duties of the SECFPD Dive Team expand, so too has the demand to evolve our technology, training, and protocols. Our mission, however, remains constant: to provide the highest quality service to the citizens of South Elgin and surrounding mutual aid departments.