The Dive Rescue Bureau of the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department (MDFR) began SCUBA operations in 1985. Development of a water rescue capability within our fire department and community has been a 28-year process. This carefully guided evolution has resulted in the establishment of the largest and most successful fire department-based water rescue/dive rescue program in the nation and possibly the world.

Water rescue services are provided within the 1,971-square-mile area of Miami-Dade County to a population of nearly 2.5 million. Water hazards common to our diverse topography consist of more than 1,000 rock pits and lakes, 1,500 miles of canals, 75,000 residential pools, and over 300 miles of coastline including offshore islands, causeways, and ocean beaches as well as offshore waters.

This fire department program has reduced the average number of drowning deaths in Miami-Dade County significantly. MDFR units respond approximately 300 water rescue incidents annually. Each fire suppression unit, ALS rescue unit, air rescue helicopter and our Fire Boat is equipped as a water rescue unit with 2 sets of SCUBA rescue equipment and accessory gear.

MDFR's administration, logistical support and training for water rescue is provided by the Dive Rescue Bureau. The Dive Rescue Training Team has 4 Public Safety Diving Instructors and 7 certified SCUBA/rescue instructors and 8 Dive Rescue Training Team Assistants. Training consists of a full range of aquatic and water rescue subjects from American Red Cross Swimming and Lifesaving through NAUI Rescue Skin Diving and all SCUBA certification levels. Rescue diver skills are maintained through annual Proficiency Improvement Training classes. The training is continuous, challenging and nationally recognized. It has been sought after and shared by local, federal and military agencies and a dozen other Florida departments.

More than 1,800 firefighters and paramedics have been trained and certified as Rescue Skin Divers since 1976. MDFR currently has 1,155 Rescue Skin Divers and 650 SCUBA Rescue Divers.

MDFR, the largest fire department in the southeast, has been a leader in development and provision of fire rescue services. In the special area of water rescue, our department has been a trendsetter with a highly functional program that is saving lives in this community while gaining a national reputation for excellence.