Overview
We're making some changes to swiftwater rescue team credentialing. Learn more about those changes and get answers to your questions here.
Realignment with the national guidelines for swiftwater teams was done for several key reasons:
- The foremost reason is to implement a key change that will ensure participating teams will be interoperable in and out of state. Our highly skilled and capable teams have been prevented from responding outside the commonwealth, if needed.
- We want to eliminate confusion in terminology for operational and grantwriting purposes.
- We want local leaders and agency heads to have more freedom to address key needs while maintaining interoperability. That's why these changes are less prescriptive on certain items, and more focused on ensuring capabilities.
Typing is strictly the process of defining and categorizing a resource’s minimum ability to perform a function.
Your team’s typing level (capability) should be based on addressing gaps identified in your Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.
You are free to go above and beyond the minimums to address hazards or threats specific to your area, without having to meet the next higher typing.
Your team is not being downgraded. Rather, it is being redesignated.
A former Type 2A Team and a current Type 3 Team both consist of six team members and one boat to conduct water rescue.
Your team still has the same capability to respond as it did before the change.
Applications for recertification under 1A, 2A, & 3A typing will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2027.
Teams that face extreme difficulty resulting from changes made to the program can receive provisional recognition in order to prevent lapses in certification.
However, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the swiftwater rescue committee.
On Jan. 1, 2028, unless otherwise determined by the swiftwater rescue committee.
The swiftwater rescue committee is making all new requirements readily available across Pennsylvania.
Here at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, we have committed to providing multiple offerings of the L984 Task Force/Strike Team Leader Course in 2025-26.
Yes! You may go above the minimum requirements set by the program. You still must meet all applicable state laws and Pennsylvania Department of Health regulations for ALS providers.
Yes, if approved, these changes will have major implications on every agency having jurisdiction, fire officer, and firefighter. That will be the case whether or not they participate in the swiftwater rescue program.
Our committee is aware of these proposed changes, and is proactively planning our course of action, should the rules go into effect.
Our commitment to you: We will keep you informed of changes through program directives and notifications, and will work with your teams, as needed, on a one-on-one basis.
In Phase 2 of the program update. The current document only describes "what" and "how" to be a credentialed team under the system.
Phase 2 will include further documentation, and other tools to help program managers and team leaders. A mobilization manual will outline timelines, expectations, and processes related to going on a state-level activation.
There also will be water rescue technician position task books to help credential and maintain qualifications for personnel.
