Dive Alert 3 - Swift Water (People or vehicles being swept away by moving water): Which units are dispatched?

• A. 2 Dive, 1 Engine or Aerial, 2 Medics, 1 Battalion, 1 Safety, PIO
• B. 2 Dive, 2 Engines or Aerials, 2 Medics, 2 Battalions, 1 Safety, PIO
• C. 2 Dive, 2 Engines or Aerials, 1 Medic, 2 Battalions, 1 Safety, PIO
• D. 2 Dive, 2 Engines or Aerials, 2 Medics, 2 Battalions, 1 Safety, PIO

Answer: (D)

Swift water rescues demand a well-rounded, multi-team approach to keep rescuers safe while moving quickly and efficiently. Having parallel dive teams allows simultaneous tasks—one team can manage search and victim retrieval while another handles rigging, safety lines, and equipment—so operations don’t get bottlenecked. Transport and access support come from additional engines or aerial units, ensuring personnel and gear can reach the scene and be repositioned along the waterway as conditions change. Medical readiness is crucial in water incidents, so more than one medic is available to care for rescued victims and manage potential injuries encountered during the operation. A broader command structure with extra battalions provides the necessary span of control and supervision across multiple teams and assets, keeping the incident organized as it scales. A dedicated safety officer oversees life-safety and risk management in the dynamic swift-water environment, reducing preventable injuries. A public information officer handles communications with families, witnesses, and partner agencies, helping to maintain coordination and prevent misinformation. This combination aligns with the demands of Dive Alert three by balancing capability, redundancy, and leadership, making it the most appropriate dispatch pattern.