Dive & Water Rescue

The Crown Point Water Rescue team’s mission is to provide a professional response to water rescue and recovery incidents to the residents of and visitors to the City of Crown Point and surrounding area. The Water Rescue Team is a specialized unit within the Crown Point Fire Rescue Department. It goes above and beyond regular firefighting duties, comprised of highly trained and motivated individuals. At present, the team consists of 6 members. Training is a monthly occurrence at various locations in our surrounding coverage areas.

The Water Rescue Team responds to both surface, subsurface and swift water emergencies. The team utilizes dry suits, full face OTS masks with hardwire communications. These are essential for the necessity to dive in cold temperature environment, little to no visibility and hazmat composition of the water. The team also uses side scan sonar to help locate a range of items. Members are trained in boat operations and rescues. Most of our missions are conducted by feeling touch. The divers remaining senses must compensate for the lack of sight. None of our diver’s ever dive alone, when a diver enters the water, concentration is necessary and absolute teamwork is paramount. Training consists of evidence and vehicle recovery, victim and self-rescue, search patterns and techniques, sonar training and boat operations. 

The team employs a progressive stand in the manner it conducts its missions. Due to the constant development and a growing population to the City of Crown Point and surrounding area, we must remain pro-active in our resolve to deliver the best possible team to the citizens we have sworn to serve. 

Crown Point Water Rescue teams works closely with its surround Fire/Police Departments and is often called to assist departments in Lake, Porter, Jasper, and Newton counties. 

Members of Dive Team

  • Josh McBurney (T3)
  • Keith Boersma (T3)
  • Erik Schmitt (T1)
  • Andrew Semethy (T2)
  • Joel DiFiore (T3)
  • Felipe Baquero (T3)
  • Matthew Kodicek (T2) Line Tender
  • John Sarver (T1) Line Tender
  • Jeremy Golec (T1) Line Tender
  • Jake Vickery Line Tender 


  1. Fire Department


    Physical Address
    126 N East Street
    Station 1500
    Crown Point, IN 46307


    Directions

    Emergency Phone: 911