Dive Team
OVERVIEW:
The Sheriff's Office Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (Dive Team) is one of many specialized units in the agency. The Dive Team is part of the Emergency Management Bureau, that comprises many of the special operations functions of the agency. The Dive Team is one of the highest rated and trained public safety diving units in the State of Florida.
MEMBERS:
The Dive Team is currently comprised of seventeen (14) certified public safety SCUBA divers. Our team member's ratings include recognition by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement UPST program, certification at the Master Diver, Public Safety Diver, Divemaster, and Instructor Levels across several training agencies. Dive Team members are required to attend scheduled dive training, and are on call 24 hours a day 365 days a year in addition to their primary duties within many areas of the agency (Road Patrol, Corrections, Emergency Management, Criminal Investigations, AG/Marine Unit, etc). Several Dual certified EMT personnel are also assigned to the team to provide medical support during dive operations.
EQUIPMENT:
The Dive Team is equipped with a 20ft dive trailer/truck response unit, able to respond to a variety of scene calls on our many waterways. A 22ft pontoon boat, equipped with several types of underwater side scan sonar (fixed and towable) and power and lighting for night operations. Divers are equipped with dry suits, underwater communications, full face mask (FFM) and other state of the art equipment. The team primary mission is searching and recovering drowning victims due to swimming, boating, airplane and automobile accidents or underwater evidence article or vehicle recoveries. The team also performs pre-scheduled detail operations supporting local special events on our waterways. Marine and Dive Team Deputies provide surface support and scene security for searches and recoveries where boating traffic may be a hazard.
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